Both sides express happiness on the progress made in diverse areas of the India-UK Roadmap 2030
Meeting at the inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue in New Delhi on Monday (October 16, 2023), senior officials from the two countries discussed greater collaboration in several key areas, including defence as well as critical and emerging technologies. 

The 2+2 dialogue at the level of senior officials is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both delegations expressed satisfaction at the regular high level political exchanges and interactions which have provided guidance and momentum to India-UK multifaceted ties. 

They 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.

"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 MEA pointed out. 

The interaction gave officials from India and the United Kingdom 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 the possibility of enhancing collaboration in areas of counterterrorism, HADR and maritime security, the MEA said.

The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Europe West, Ministry of External Affairs Piyush Srivastava and Joint Secretary, International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence Vishwesh Negi. The UK delegation was co-chaired by India Director, Indian Ocean Directorate, FCDO Ben Mellor and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability, Ministry of Defence Lt. General Rob Magowan.

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