New Delhi: The inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi on October 16.
In the meeting, India and UK discussed possibilities for further collaboration particularly in areas of trade and investment, defence, critical and emerging technologies, civil aviation, health, energy, culture and strengthening peoples connect.
The 2+2 dialogue at Senior Official level is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Europe West) in Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Piyush Srivastava and Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in Ministry of Defence Vishwesh Negi.
While the UK delegation was co-chaired by India Director, Indian Ocean Directorate, FCDO Ben Mellor and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability, Ministry of Defence Lt. General Rob Magowan.
Posting on X MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote: "Inaugural 🇮🇳-🇬🇧 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue held in New Delhi today. Co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) @MEAIndia & Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) @MinofDefIndia on the Indian side and Ben Mellor, Director @FCDOGovUK & Lt. Gen. Rob Magowan, Deputy Chair of Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence on the UK side. Both sides reviewed progress made in diverse areas of 🇮🇳-🇬🇧 Roadmap 2030 and discussed possibilities of future collaboration."
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its statement that both delegations expressed satisfaction at the regular high level political exchanges and interactions which have provided guidance and momentum to India-UK multifaceted ties. They expressed happiness on the progress made in diverse areas of India-UK Roadmap 2030 including political exchanges, economic cooperation, defence and security, people to people ties, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said that the officials had an opportunity to exchange assessments about recent international developments including in the Indo-Pacific region, given their shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity and for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They also considered the possibility of enhancing collaboration in areas of counterterrorism, HADR and maritime security.
India and the UK agreed to report the outcome of the Dialogue to higher bilateral mechanisms, Foreign Office Consultations and Defence Consultative Group, and hold a second meeting of the Dialogue in the UK at mutually convenient time next year. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its statement.
