While Defence Secretary R K Singh visited the UK in April this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation in January with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, to review progress made in niche defence technology areas.

The year 2024 marked significant developments in bilateral defence and strategic discussions between India and the United Kingdom. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh became the first Indian Defence Minister in 22 years to visit the UK, leading a high-level delegation in January.

This visit focused on discussions regarding defence, security, and industrial cooperation. The last visit by an Indian Defence Minister to the UK was in January 2002, when George Fernandes held the position.

The India-United Kingdom bilateral partnership was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2021, with a ten-year (2030) Roadmap. The 2030 Roadmap includes commitments to deepen cooperation on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence.

The 2030 Roadmap envisions that India and the UK are committed to a partnership that delivers for both countries. “Our 2030 vision is for revitalised and dynamic connections between our people; re-energised trade, investment and technological collaboration that improves the lives and livelihoods of our citizens; enhanced defence and security cooperation that brings a more secure Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific and India-UK leadership in climate, clean energy and health that acts as a global force for good,” says the vision document.