India and the UK discuss working together to combat terrorism, and the UK prime minister might visit during the 2+2 Dialogue
The first India-UK “2+2” foreign and defense dialogue took place on Monday, and the discussions centered on ways to increase collaboration in a number of important sectors, including trade and investment, defense, essential technologies, civil aviation, health, and energy, according to a report from news agency PTI.
The 2+2 discussion, which is conducted at the level of senior officials, is a forum for discussing and reviewing all facets of the comprehensive strategic cooperation between India and the UK. Additionally, it was disclosed that authorities from India and the UK are looking into the potential of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visiting India later this month.
The Indo-Pacific area was one of the topics of discussion, and the two parties also looked at ways to strengthen cooperation against terrorism at the senior official level. Discussions also included current events on a global scale, especially those in the Indo-Pacific area.
The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Europe West) Piyush Srivastava of the MEA and Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi of the defense ministry. The UK delegation was co-chaired by Lt. General Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability at the British Ministry of Defence, and Ben Mellor, India Director at the Indian Ocean Directorate in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
According to the foreign affairs ministry, increasing anti-terror cooperation between India and the UK was also a possibility.
The foreign affairs ministry (MEA) stated in a news statement that the two sides “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.”
Given their shared goal for peace, stability, and prosperity as well as for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific area, “the officials had an opportunity to exchange assessments about recent international developments, including in the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement further said.
According to the MEA, New Delhi and London discussed the possibilities of increasing their cooperation in maritime security, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), and counterterrorism.
According to the MEA’s statement, “both delegations expressed satisfaction at the regular high-level political exchanges and interactions which have provided direction and momentum to India-UK multifaceted ties.”
Under former UK PM Boris Johnson, the UK-India relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The relationship improved at Johnson’s meeting with PM Modi during the May 2021 India-UK virtual summit.
A 10-year plan has been developed by India and the UK to strengthen relations in a number of important sectors, including people-to-people exchanges, climate change, defense and security, and commerce.
