Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth met UK Minister of State for Defence Mr. Vernon Coaker in Mumbai on October 10, 2025. The meeting took place during the UK Carrier Strike Group’s visit to India.
Both leaders reviewed ongoing defence engagements and explored new opportunities to deepen India-UK defence cooperation. Shri Seth praised the successful completion of Exercise Konkan-25, conducted between the Indian Navy and the UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales. The exercise included sea phase operations off India’s western coast and harbour phase activities in Mumbai and Goa.
Shri Seth emphasized the importance of joint exercises in enhancing operational understanding and naval interoperability. He highlighted India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities and the development of indigenous systems under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Mr. Coaker acknowledged India’s leadership in regional security and expressed interest in expanding collaboration across defence supply chains.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. They supported a free, open, and rules-based maritime order to ensure secure navigation and regional stability.
The meeting reinforced the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and aligned with the goals of the ‘India-UK Vision 2035’, adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK in July 2025.
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