New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom conducted their annual Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting in New Delhi on November 24, 2023. Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane co-chaired the meeting alongside his UK counterpart, Mr. David Williams, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
During the meeting, a range of regional security issues was discussed, including a thorough review of ongoing defence cooperation activities. The leaders deliberated on the situation in the Indian Ocean Region and explored potential avenues for collaboration. Discussions also encompassed proposals for defence industrial cooperation, specifically in missile systems and Electric Propulsion, among other possibilities.
Plans were made for increased interactions and joint activities in the maritime domain, with a focus on joint exercises, Maritime Domain Awareness, and information exchange.
Both sides expressed appreciation for the commencement of the India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue and noted the heightened pace of military-to-military engagements across all domains.
Following the meeting, Mr. David Williams laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying homage to the Bravehearts.