DD Correspondent
New Delhi, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 25th India – UK Defence Consultative Group (DCG) Meeting with the Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) for Defence of UK Mr Jeremy Pocklington, at New Delhi on Aug 21, 2026. Both countries reviewed the ongoing defence industrial cooperation with emphasis on Research & Development through the India – UK vision 2035 and the Ten year Defence Industrial Roadmap.
Both sides agreed to expand bilateral exchanges between the armed forces of India and UK through joint exercises, training and capacity building. They acknowledged the robust maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
The Secretaries exchanged views on issues of regional peace and security and reaffirmed their commitment to mutual security and strategic autonomy. Both sides reiterated that the India-UK Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
This was Mr Jeremy Pocklington’s first visit to India in his capacity as Permanent Under Secretary for Defence of UK. Prior to the DCG meeting, the UK Defence Secretary laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, and paid homage to the bravehearts who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our nation. He also visited Gandhi Smriti Museum & National Defence College, New Delhi. During the visit, he had a bilateral interaction with General NS Raja Subramani, the Chief of Defence Staff.
The visit underlined the longstanding defence cooperation between the two countries and regular exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.
