India-UK
Top Indian military chief heads to UK — Big defence talks on the table
General Anil Chauhan, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), will undertake a three-day official visit to the United Kingdom beginning April 19, at the invitation of Sir Richard Knighton, signalling deepening defence ties between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the British High Commission in New Delhi, the two military leaders will hold discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in training, operational coordination, and defence industry partnerships.
During the visit, General Chauhan is scheduled to meet senior UK civil and military leadership. He will also engage with representatives of the British defence industry to advance discussions on expanding defence co-production between the two nations.
The CDS will visit the Royal College of Defence Studies, where he will interact with a multinational group of military professionals.
This marks the first official visit by an Indian CDS to the UK, and comes amid a series of high-level engagements between the two countries.
It is the fifth senior UK–India military interaction this year, following the visit of UK Chief of the Air Staff Harv Smyth to India in March.
Commenting on the visit, Lindy Cameron said it reflects the “trust and ambition” underpinning the UK–India defence partnership.
“We are stepping up cooperation to strengthen interoperability, spur innovation and support a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” she said, adding that India remains a key defence partner for the UK.
Chris Saunders, Defence Adviser at the British High Commission, said the visit highlights the progress achieved in bilateral defence cooperation and provides an opportunity to further expand military-to-military engagement, joint training, and defence industrial collaboration.
He added that both countries are increasingly looking to leverage defence as an “engine for growth” while supporting India’s drive towards self-reliance.
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