"Another year where bilateral strategic ties bloomed": UK Defence Adviser highlights major events of 2024

New Delhi [India], December 31 : The UK Embassy's Defence Adviser, Chris Saunders, on Tuesday highlighted that 2024 was a crucial year for the India-UK defence partnership.
Saunders noted that one of the key highlights of 2024 was when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the UK, marking a significant step in strengthening the defence relationship.
"As the sun sets on 2024, we look back at yet another year where our bilateral strategic ties bloomed further. Here are some key moments of significance in our defence partnership this year..." Saunders said, adding, "We began with the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to the UK in more than 20 years. Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh travelled to the UK, signalling the growing importance of the strategic relationship and agreeing to new levels of cooperation and engagement."
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041526449496201
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041530677358951
Singh's visit was followed by a visit to India by the UK's Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Ben Key.
"It was soon followed by the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key visiting India to review and strengthen the maritime partnership. At the same time, both our navies were working closely in the region, securing the maritime trade routes," Saunders added.
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041535467299173
The UK's Littoral Response Group (South) visited Chennai in March, further solidifying cooperation between both countries.
"The maritime partnership continued to be in focus when the UK's Littoral Response Group (South) visited Chennai in March. This was no ordinary visit as it marked the beginning of a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries," Saunders explained.
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041540093636928
In a first, LRG vessels underwent scheduled maintenance in an Indian shipyard.
"The LRG vessels underwent a scheduled maintenance in an Indian shipyard for the first time, a testimony to the success of the logistics sharing agreement between the two countries," he said.
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041545441370290
"Adding to the list of firsts, the Dartmouth Britannia Royal Naval College welcomed Lieutenant Commander N Dinesh Anand of the Indian Navy as one of its instructors. This marked the start of a new chapter in long-standing UK-India professional military education ties," Saunders said.
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041549572759694
In the air domain, The UK Air Force contingent participated in India's maiden multi-lateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti.
"Moving from the maritime to the air domain, a Royal Air Force contingent participated in India's maiden multi-lateral air exercise - Tarang Shakti," Saunders said. "Flying alongside the Indian Air Force and European partners, it was an excellent opportunity for the RAF to work closely with the IAF alongside other nations in a more challenging multilateral environment, significantly enhancing interoperability and sharing best practices."
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041553565647330
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041561199386778
Both sides continued to have discussions on the range of defence, security and foreign policy issues.
"Alongside these high-octane military engagements, we continued to have discussions on a range of defence, security and foreign policy issues via channels like our joint working group on counter-terrorism, electric propulsion technology and the 2+2 dialogue."
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041567994142988
London also welcomed INS Tushil as a part of its operational deployment.
"We concluded this year by welcoming INS Tushil to London, as she arrived in the UK as part of her operational deployment, providing another opportunity to our forces to engage and learn from each other," Saunders added.
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041573853585919
He emphasized that 2024 marked significant growth in ties between the two countries.
https://x.com/UKDefenceIndia/status/1874041577599025227
"All in all, 2024 was another year of significant growth in our strategic ties, setting the stage for even bigger things to come in 2025. With these hopes, we wish all of our friends in India a very happy new year!" he said.