India and the UK held the first 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue in New Delhi on 16 October.
At the meeting, the two sides discussed the potential for expanding the India-UK cooperation in maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and counterterrorism.
Overview
The 2+2 dialogue at the senior official level is an instrument to discuss and review all aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign & Defence Dialogue, was held in New Delhi yesterday. @MEAIndia @MinofDefIndia @SpokespersonMoD @FCDOGovUK @DefenceHQ & @UKinIndia, met to review progress on the 🇬🇧-🇮🇳 2030 Roadmap.https://t.co/OkDQPwe0hD
— UK Defence in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKDefenceIndia) October 17, 2023
The all important team photo👇 pic.twitter.com/nTKRfGnI0y
At the meeting, the two sides expressed satisfaction at the regular high-level political exchanges between the two nations that have provided momentum to the India-UK ties.
They also expressed pleasure over the advancements made in the various spots of the India-UK Roadmap 2030, such as political discussions, economic collaboration, defence and security, interpersonal ties, and regional and multilateral cooperation.
The India-UK Roadmap 2030, signed in May 2021, elevated the ties between the two countries to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and provided a framework for UK-India relations across different sectors.
Free and Open Indo-Pacific; Cooperation in Trade, Defence
The two sides also talked about potential future areas of cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, military, critical and emerging technologies, civil aviation, health, energy, culture, and fostering people-to-people ties.
Given the two countries’ shared vision for peace, stability, and prosperity and a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, the officials had the chance to discuss recent world developments, including those in the Indo-Pacific region.
They decided to hold the dialogue’s second meeting in the UK at a mutually suitable time next year and communicate the dialogue’s findings to higher bilateral bodies, the Defence Consultative Group, and the Foreign Office Consultations.
India has a 2+2 dialogue at the senior officials’ or ministers’ level with close strategic partners such as the US, Japan, Australia and Russia.
India-UK FTA
Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West), Ministry of External Affairs, and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, co-chaired the Indian delegation.
Ben Mellor, India Director, Indian Ocean Directorate, FCDO and Lt. General Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability, Ministry of Defence, co-chaired the UK delegation.
#India and #UK hold first 2+2 dialogue of senior officialshttps://t.co/JcOZZz1PSq pic.twitter.com/1TRB35iyJ6
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) October 16, 2023
The latest meeting between the two countries comes amid talks that India and the UK have ironed out differences to facilitate the signing of a long-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
British PM Rishi Sunak is expected to be in India on 28 October for the England-India Cricket World Cup match.
The two countries will hopefully finalise the long-awaited FTA deal during his visit. The agreement has been in the making since early 2021.