Both leaders agree on Joint drills, Naval ties
New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom on Thursday strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead.
In a joint statement following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai, both countries pledged coordinated efforts to counter terrorism and uphold zero tolerance for terrorism and violent extremism.
The two leaders agreed to work together at bilateral and multilateral levels. They outlined plans to counter radicalisation, disrupt terror financing, prevent the cross-border movement of terrorists, and stop the use of new technologies for terrorist purposes. Measures will also target recruitment efforts and include enhanced information sharing, judicial cooperation, and capacity building.
PM Modi and Starmer agreed to deepen defence ties, including expanding joint training and military exercises. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group and the Royal Navy’s participation in Exercise KONKAN with the Indian Navy were noted as part of ongoing maritime cooperation.
Both sides committed to closer collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region, including the establishment of a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Progress was welcomed on integrating Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors into UK Royal Air Force training programmes. An agreement is also under discussion to support broader defence training and education links between the two countries.
Both governments signalled intent to finalise an Inter-Governmental Agreement on developing maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian naval platforms.
The leaders also agreed to proceed through a government-to-government route for an initial supply of Lightweight Multirole Missile systems to India. This step is aimed at strengthening India’s air defence capability and supporting long-term cooperation in complex weapons development between the two countries.
On global issues, the two Prime Ministers affirmed support for peace and a rules-based international order. The UK reiterated its support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council. They expressed support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter
