New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Defence Vernon Coaker today held discussions in Mumbai to enhance ongoing Defence engagements and explore ways to deepen cooperation.
The meeting was held on the occasion of the visit of the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to India, a Defence Ministry statement said.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a robust, multifaceted and mutually beneficial Defence partnership, guided by the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ‘India-UK Vision 2035’, adopted during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2025 to the United Kingdom.
During the meeting, Seth noted with satisfaction that the UK CSG, led by HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, successfully completed the sea phase of the bilateral maritime exercise Konkan-25 with the Indian Navy off the western coast of India. The CSG is currently engaged in the harbour phase activities at Mumbai and Goa.
The Minister emphasised that such operational interactions enhance mutual understanding of operational philosophies and significantly contribute to interoperability between the two navies.
During the meeting, both ministers reviewed various facets of bilateral Defence cooperation and discussed about India’s growing capabilities in manufacturing equipment and development of indigenous systems bolstering Aatmanirbharta.
They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in all spheres including collaboration and opportunities in Global Defence Supply Chains. They also reiterated their commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region in support of a free, open and rules-based world order to ensure freedom of navigation.
UNI RBE RB 1634