Inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign, Defence Dialogue concludes

The inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 16 October 2023.

The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary Europe West, Ministry of External Affairs and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary, International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence. The UK delegation was co-chaired by 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, a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said.

The 2+2 dialogue at Senior Official level is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both delegations expressed satisfaction at the regular high level political exchanges and interactions which have provided guidance and momentum to India-UK multifaceted ties, the statement added.

They also 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.

According to the statement, the two sides also 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 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 possibility of enhancing collaboration in areas of counterterrorism, HADR and maritime security.

They agreed to report outcome of the Dialogue to higher bilateral mechanisms, Foreign Office Consultations and Defence Consultative Group, and hold second meeting of the Dialogue in UK at mutually convenient time next year, it stated.