India, UK want strong strategic relations: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said both India and the UK desire strong strategic relations and are working towards that Both India and the UK want strong strategic relations We want to strengthen the comprehensive strategic relations Singh who is currently on an official visit to the UK saidMeanwhile on Tuesday the Raksha Mantri paid a visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Neasden Temple in London The Hindu temple is Europes first authentic and traditionally built Hindu shrine Singh offered Abishek Puja at the temple according to sourcesSinghs visit to the Neasden Temple also underlined the significance of cultural connections in the bilateral relations between the two countries Earlier on Tuesday the Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Grant Shapps The discussions centred on defence cooperation security and enhancing defenceindustrial cooperationThe two leaders also reviewed the full range of IndiaUK defence relations Had an excellent meeting with UK Defence Minister Mr Grant Shapps We reviewed the full range of IndiaUK defence relations We had fruitful discussions on a wide range of issues pertaining to defence cooperation security and also on enhancing defence industrial cooperation Singh posted from his official handle on XDuring the meeting Shapps stressed that the IndiaUK relationship is not transactional as both countries are natural partners with many commonalities and shared goals Singh on his part noted the growing strategic convergence between the two countries particularly in the IndoPacificThe bilateral defence meeting was followed by the signing of two agreements between India and the UK an MoU on the conduct of bilateral international cadet exchange programme and a Letter of Arrangement between the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO and UKs Defence Science and Technology Laboratory DSTL on defence collaboration in research and development as per a release issued by the Defence MinistryThese documents will provide impetus to the peopletopeople exchanges particularly among the youth and larger area of defence research collaboration between the two countries On his arrival in London on Tuesday Singh received a Guard of Honour at the Horse Guards Parade grounds in LondonThere was a special parade as well by the British Armys Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards and the Band of the Irish Guards The regiments represented in the parade are among the most historic in the British Army Ceremonial welcomes of this nature are considered special and memorable moments of high honour from one nation to anotherSingh on Tuesday also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in Tavistock London On Wednesday the Raksha Mantri will call on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the UKs Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron The minister will also participate in a community reception in the UK Singh arrived in the UK on Monday night The ongoing visit is the first by a sitting Indian Defence minister to the UK in 23 yearsSingh is being accompanied by a highlevel Ministry of Defence delegation comprising senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Service Headquarters the Department of Defence and the Department of Defence Production