INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 2024 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol 33 No: 3 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday January 19, 2024 UK PM Rishi Sunak expresses hope ongoing India-UK FTA could be brought to successful conclusion soon London [UK], January 11 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10, Downing Street in London on Wednesday. During the meeting, Sunak expressed hope that the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could be brought to a successful conclusion soon. Rajnath Singh and Rishi Sunak agreed on the need for the two nations to work together in trade, defence and technology sectors, Ministry of Defence said in a press release. He expressed the keenness of the UK government to strengthen defence and security pillars of the bilateral partnership. be brought to a successful conclusion soon,” Ministry of Defence said in a press release. “He also underlined his keenness, and that of his Government, to strengthen the defence and security pillar of the bilateral relationship, including through Government backing for stronger business and technology partnerships with Indian counterpart entities,” it added. The meeting between the two leaders was “warm and cordial,” according to the press release. During the meeting, Rajnath Singh highlighted that both nations have N o t a b l y , India and the UK are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Talks for FTA between India and the UK started in 2022. The thirteenth round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement concluded in December, with both sides resolving that they would continue to negotiate towards a comprehensive and ambitious trade pact. “Prime Minister Sunak fully agreed with the Raksha Mantri on the need for UK and India to work in the domains of trade, defence and technology. In particular, he expressed hope that the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations could Ramaswamy pulls out of US Presidential race after Iowa Caucus results, throws support behind Trump Iowa [US], January 16 (ANI): Indian-American entrepreneur and GOP leader Vivek Ramaswamy pulled out of the White House race on Tuesday after a weak showing in the Republican Party’s first nominating contest in Iowa. Ramaswamy, who gained attention for his outspoken debate performances, ended his presidential bid and threw his support behind Donald Trump whom he had earlier dubbed the “best president of 21st century.” The 38-yearold bio-tech entrepreneur made the announcement at a press conference in Iowa on Tuesday. Born in Ohio, to immigrant parents from southern India, Ramaswamy was one of the surprises of the 2024 Republican race and Remember: was dominated by former President Trump, Reuters reported. “As I’ve said since the beginning, there are two America First candidates in this race, and I called Donald Trump to tell him that. Going forward he will have my full endorsement,” “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you. ” – Jesus Christ Ramaswamy told supporters in Des Moines. According to the latest figures by CNN, after 93 per cent of results were released, Ramaswamy is projected to win only two out of 40 delegates in Iowa. Ramaswamy had been one of Trump’s staunchest defenders against the four indictments levelled against him. He pledged to remove himself from the ballots in Colorado and Maine after the former president was disqualified from the two states. He even vowed to pardon Trump of all charges on his first day in office. Meanwhile, Trump has registered a landslide victory and is expected to win 20 of Iowa’s 40 delegates. While, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are estimated to get eight and seven delegates respectively. Trump’s victory in his first election since his unusual exit in 2020 has also laid to rest any lingering questions about his hold over the GOP and the potency of his rightwing message. It has also solidified his position as the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination to turn up against incumbent Joe Biden in a 2020 rematch. The focus of the race will now turn to New Hampshire, which will hold its first-in-the-nation Republican primary on January 23. (ANI) INDIA-UK FTA SEE PAGE 10 US has never been a racist country: Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley Wa s h i n g t o n , DC [US], January 17 (ANI): Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley, who finished third in the Iowa caucuses, has said that the US has never been a “racist country” and their goal is to make sure that “today is better than yesterday,” Fox News reported. Haley made the remarks in response to MSNBC Joy Reid’s statement on whether Haley could win the Republican Party nomination. Reid had accused Republicans of being an “anti-immigrant” party and that’s why she “can’t picture” Haley becoming NIKKI HALEY SEE PAGE 2
January 19, 2024 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday Over 40 Years Of Experience 5 FAMILY HAIRCUT $ MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 $ & up SERVICES • BEARD TRIM $500 $ • SHAMPOO 1000 • BLOW DRY $1000 $ 00 • PERM FROM 20 $ 00 • COLOR FROM 20 • HIGHLIGHTS FROM $3500 • SPA PEDICURE FROM $1700 Beauty & Barber Shop 7311 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 info@csbarbernschool.com US has never been a racist country: Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley NIKKI HALEY FROM PAGE 1 the GOP nominee in 2024, Fox News reported. In an interview with Fox News, Haley suggested Reid “lives in a different America than I do.” She said, “I mean, yes, I’m a brown girl who grew up in a small rural town in South Carolina who became the first female minority governor in history, who became a UN ambassador and who is now running for president. If that’s not the American dream, I don’t know what is.” When asked by “Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade if the Republican Party is racist, Nikki Haley said, “No we are not.” She further said, “We’re not a racist country. We’ve never been a racist country. Our goal is to make sure that today is better than yesterday. Are we perfect? No, but our goal is to always make sure we try and be more perfect every day that we can.” Speaking about her experience growing up in the US, Haley said, “I know I faced racism when I was growing up, but I can tell you today is a lot better than it was then. Our goal is to lift up everybody, not go and divide people on race or gender or party or anything else. We’ve had enough of that in America.” “That’s why I’m so passionate about doing this. I don’t want my kids growing up where they’re sitting there thinking that they’re disadvantaged because of colour or gender. I want them to know that if they work hard, they can do and be anything they want to be in America,” she added. Despite ending up third in the Iowa caucuses, Haley said her campaign remains focused on maximising her performance in the New Hampshire primary next week, Fox News reported. Former US President Donald Trump secured win in the Iowa caucuses on Monday night (local time). He received more than 50 per cent of the vote. Ron DeSantis secured second spot with 21.2 per cent pf votes while Nikki Haley was in third place with 19.1 per cent of votes. Another IndianAmerican Republican Leader Vivek Ramaswamy came at fourth position with 7.7 per cent of the vote. He ultimately dropped out of the race and endorsed Donald Trump. Taking to social media platform X, Ramaswamy stated, “This entire campaign is about speaking the TRUTH. We did not achieve our goal tonight, & we need an America-First patriot in the White House. The people spoke loud & clear about who they want. Tonight I am suspending my campaign and endorsing Donald J Trump and will do everything I can to make sure he is the next US President.” (ANI)
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January 19, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK
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6 January 19, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Another cold day witnessed in Delhi; UK PM Rishi mercury drops to 4 degrees Celsius Sunak expresses hope ongoing India-UK FTA could be brought to successful conclusion soon New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI): The national capital woke up to yet another freezing day as the minimum temperature dropped to 4 degrees Celsius. Several flights departing from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport were delayed. “My flight is more than two hours late due to the bad weather. However, we cannot blame anyone. We cannot do anything about it,” a passenger told ANI. Passengers were seen waiting at the New Delhi Railway Station (NDRS) as several trains got delayed amid poor visibility due to the fog.“I am travelling to Kerala. My train, Kerala Express, is five hours late from the scheduled time,” a passenger told ANI. Meanwhile, the Republic Day parade rehearsal took place at Kartavya Path.As per the MeT department, fog is considered to be ‘shallow’ when the visibility stands up to 500 metres. ‘Moderate’ fog occurs when the visibility remains up to 200 metres. As the visibility is up to 50 metres, the fog is categorised as ‘dense’. It is categorised as ‘very dense’ when the visibility reaches below 50 metres. Earlier on Monday, visibility was recorded as ‘zero for the first time this winter season in Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Patiala, Ambala, Chandigarh, Palam, Safdarjung (New Delhi), Bareilly, Lucknow, Bahraich, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Tezpur, as per the weather department. Meanwhile, people were seen sitting around bonfires as the city saw a thick blanket of fog. “We sit around bonfires to protect ourselves from the cold weather. There has been a constant rise in the temperature since the beginning of January,” a man named Rahimali told ANI. Several people took refuge in governmentrun shelter homes to shield themselves from the freezing weather. The night shelters in Delhi are aimed at providing a refuge to homeless people who live on the streets and have nowhere else to go in the cold. The shelters offer From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- January 19, 2024 The Past By Ralph Waldo Emerson The debt is paid, The verdict said, The Furies laid, The plague is stayed, All fortunes made; Turn the key and bolt the door, Sweet is death forevermore. Nor haughty hope, nor swart chagrin, Nor murdering hate, can enter in. All is now secure and fast; Not the gods can shake the Past; Flies-to the adamantine door Bolted down forevermore. None can re-enter there,— No thief so politic, No Satan with a royal trick Steal in by window, chink, or hole, To bind or unbind, add what lacked, Insert a leaf, or forge a name, New-face or finish what is packed, Alter or mend eternal Fact. INDIA-UK FTA FROM PAGE 1 blankets, beds, hot water, and food to those seeking shelter. Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Scientist Soma Sen addressed the prevailing weather conditions in Delhi and North India, highlighting the minimal change expected in the minimum temperature on Tuesday. “In Delhi and in North India, we are not expecting much change in the minimum temperature. Maybe a one-degree rise is likely because of the sunny skies, but foggy conditions will persist. Low cloud conditions may also continue for the neighbouring regions, because of which Haryana and Punjab will see severe cold day conditions for the next two to three days. We are not expecting any sudden change in either temperature or cold conditions... The intensity of the cold will gradually decrease, which is a seasonal effect,” IMD Scientist Soma Sen said. Despite a gradual decrease in cold intensity, Sen projected ongoing foggy mornings, cold days, and cold wave conditions across the plains for at least the next two days. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online made significant strides in moulding and recrafting the historic ties into a modern, multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership, under the direction of the leaders of both nations. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recalled the recent enhancement in bilateral defence engagement, spanning joint exercises, training, capability building, increased interoperability, military-to-military ties especially in the maritime sector. He emphasised the ongoing efforts to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including in the technology domain. Rajnath briefed Rishi Sunak about his positive interactions with the UK defence industry and the new positive energy in the bilateral defence relationship. “The Raksha Mantri stated that the UK and other like-minded countries should work with India for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rules-based order, including through partnering India in its inexorable rise, which can be strengthened, reinforced and speeded up with friendly collaboration,” Ministry of Defence said in a press release. During the meeting, Rajnath Singh gifted a Ram Darbar statue to Rishi Sunak. The meeting was also attended by the UK National Security Adviser, Tim Barrow. During the meeting, he stated that PM Narendra Modi is leading the quest of 1.4 billion Indians towards the national objective of becoming a developed nation by mid21st century. In the meeting with Rishi Sunak, Singh noted that PM Modi’s “efforts have borne remarkable fruits, growth is sustainably on the upswing, poverty has been reduced drastically, and a businessfriendly architecture has been put in place.” He expressed the readiness of the Indian government at the international level to partner with friends like the UK to strengthen the rulesbased world order. In a post shared on X, Rajnath Singh stated, “Had a very warm meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Shri @rishisunak in London. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him. We discussed issues pertaining to defence, economic cooperation and how India and UK could work together for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rulesbased order.” Currently, Rajnath Singh is on an official visit to UK. It is the first visit by a sitting Indian Defence Minister to the UK in more than 20 years. Earlier, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held “in sightful deliberations” with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on boosting ties between the two nations. Taking to X, Rajnath Singh stated, “Insightful deliberations with the UK Foreign Secretary, Mr. David Cameron on boosting IndiaUK ties and deepening cooperation between both the countries.” (ANI) Remember: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” JESUS CHRIST
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January 19, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK “Ram Temple is complete”: Construction committee chairman Nripendra Mishra amid controversy New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI): Amid the allegations that the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is being done when the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is unfinished, chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee Nripendra Mishra on Wednesday said that the temple of Ram Lalla is complete. The construction committee chairperson said that the temple of Ram Lalla has a sanctum sanctorum– Garbhagriha–and it is complete. “Mandir Toh Ban Gaya Hai. The temple of Ram Lalla will have ‘Garbhagriha’, five mandaps and that temple will be on the ground floor. That temple is complete. The first floor, which is under construction, will have Ram Darbar...The second floor is just for ‘Anushthan’, the different types of ‘Yagyas’ and ‘Anushthan’ will take place there,” he said. During the interview, Mishra said that the ‘Shubh Muhurt’ or auspicious time for the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the temple in Ayodhya is 12.30 pm on January 22. “The ‘Muhurt’ on January 22 is around 12.30 pm. The prayers and rituals have already begun. The Ram Lalla will probably be brought inside the sanctum sanctorum tomorrow morning. Different types of rituals, like the Abhishek (bath) of the idol, among others, will be performed. Finally, when the auspicious time comes at 12.30 pm on the 22nd of this month, the Pran Pratishtha will be done,” he said. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple will be held in the temple town. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on that day. The blackstone idol of Ram Lalla, exquisitely sculpted by a Mysuru-based sculptor– Arun Yogiraj–has been selected for enthronement. The rituals started on Tuesday and will continue for seven days. Thousands of VIP guests have received invitations from the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the ceremony. Meanwhile, Mishra said that the event is historic and that Hindus across the world feel that their faith has been respected. “It is perhaps a historic event. There was a belief, universal, I would call it amongst Hindus, that (Lord) Ram belongs to Ayodhya and He must get recognition in the place where people believe the temple is. So, with that kind of faith and belief, suddenly the realisation has come that Lord Ram in the form of a child will come to the temple and consecration will take place, which we call Pran Pratishtha,” the chairman of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Construction Committee said. He said, “Not only in India but all over the world, Hindus feel that their rights have been recognised and their faith has been respected.” Invoking the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya case, five years ago, the former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “What PM Modi said in 2019, when the judgment came, that there should be no sense of victory or defeat. We all must accept the judicial pronouncement. So everyone is cautious that while you celebrate this day, don’t celebrate it as something that is meant to show any other person of a different faith that he is less important to this country. This country belongs to everybody.” The Trust has made elaborate arrangements to welcome and honour all attendees, presenting them with gifts that include ‘Ram Raj.’ As part of the celebration, Teerth Kshetra Trust will also distribute special ‘Motichoor laddus’ made from desi ghee as ‘Prasad’ to the guests. A member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set to attend the event, will be presented with a 15meter picture of the Ram temple enclosed in a jute bag featuring an image of the sacred structure. More than 11,000 guests nationwide have received invitations from the Trust for the Pran Pratistha ceremony, with special arrangements underway to provide memorable gifts to all attendees. According to a Trust member, the revered Ram Raj soil excavated from the temple will be bestowed upon the guests, serving as a cherished memento. This sacred gift can be used in home gardens or pots, adding a touch of divinity to their homes. Even those unable to attend the Pran Pratishtha program may receive this meaningful gift in the future. A team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the Pran Prathistha. Maryada Purushottam Ram cannot be linked with politics Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee chairperson Nripendra Mishra on Wednesday said that Lord Ram is Maryada Purushottam and He cannot be associated with politics. The remarks of the construction committee chairperson came after the Congress party declined the invitation extended to its senior leaders–Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury–to Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya later this month. The grand old party dubbed the January 22 programme as a “BJP-RSS event”. “I do not answer political questions, but I do not understand one thing, that Lord Ram has become political, or his followers who have devotion to him are making Him political. Is Lord Ram looking at different people from different viewpoints and giving blessings to only a few? If God is Maryada Purushottam, then how can politics be associated with Him,” Nripendra Mishra said in an exclusive interview with ANI. He said, “The vision of Lord Ram which is equal for all and the dignity is the best will remain the same.” (ANI) Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 17 (ANI): A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking a ban on the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya‘s Ram Temple to be held on January 22. The petition has been filed by Bhola Das of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. Citing Shankaracharya’s objections, the petition demanded a ban on the ceremony. “A religious programme is going to be organised in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. The idol of Ram Lalla will be installed at the under-construction temple. The ceremony will be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Shankaracharyas have an objection to the Pran Pratistha programme. No religious programmes are organised in the month of ‘Pus’. The temple is still incomplete. In an incomplete temple, no deity can be consecrated,” the petition read. The petition went on to say that the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ was described as an affair against the Sanatana tradition. It was also claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was organising the ceremony for electoral gains in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, the opposition parties claimed that the Shankaracharyas had decided against attending the January 22 event after objecting to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at an ‘incomplete temple’. Turning down the invite for the Pran Pratishtha event, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said that even our Shankaracharyas (religious gurus) will not be attending the Ram Mandir event, which shows that the reason for not attending it is important. “When they politicised the event and took decisions, our Shankaracharyas, who are at the top of Sanatan Dharma and guide us, said that they would not be attending the event. This has become such an issue that all Shankarachariyas are saying they will boycott this event. If the Shankaracharyas are saying so, it has its own importance,” Gehlot said. Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP is trying to separate twothirds of the country’s population from Lord Ram by putting a political tag on the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Temple. “There is a system and set of rituals to perform Pran Pratishtha. If this event is religious, then is it happening under the guidance of the Shankaracharyas of the Four Peeths? All four Shankaracharyas have said clearly that the Pran Pratishtha of an incomplete temple cannot be done. If this event is not religious, then it is political,” he said. Meanwhile, Swami N i s c h a l a n a n d Saraswati Maharaj, the Shankaracharya of Puri, disclosed that their decision is rooted in the deviation from established traditions during the installation of the Ram Lalla idol. Speaking to ANI, Swami Nischalanand Maharaj revealed why the four Shankaracharyas are not attending the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha event. “The Shankaracharyas uphold their own dignity. This is not about ego. Are we expected to merely sit outside and applaud when the Prime Minister installs the idol of Ram Lalla? The presence of a ‘secular’ government does not imply the obliteration of tradition,” he remarked. Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya began on Tuesday, a week before the main ceremony. The general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, said the Ram temple will be open for ‘darshan’ for the general public from January 23. Petition filed in Allahabad HC demanding ban on ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Temple
FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 2024 9 Rajnath Singh, David Cameron appreciate momentum of India-UK partnership London [UK], January 11 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who is on a visit to the UK held a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on boosting ties between the two nations. The two leaders appreciated the new momentum and direction of the India-UK partnership, symbolised by intense engagements at various levels. Singh outlined his goal of integrating defence industries of India and UK, including through supply chain integration to build resilience. He stressed the importance of bilateral start-up level interaction, and identification and discussion of joint projects that India and the UK could implement together. Taking to X, Rajnath Singh stated, “Insightful deliberations with the UK Foreign Secretary, Mr. David Cameron on boosting IndiaUK ties and deepening cooperation between both the countries.” Cameron reiterated the UK government’s desire to collaborate with India in defence areas. The leaders held the meeting at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence said, “Foreign Secretary Cameron reiterated the UK government’s desire to collaborate with India in the defence areas, particularly in the field of defence industrial collaboration, as one of the means by which the UK hopes to strengthen the support for a rule-based international order.” Singh, who is currently on a visit to UK, interacted with the Indian community at India House in London. More than 160 prominent persons of Indian origin attended the interaction. A number of Indian military exservicemen, including a few family members of second world war veterans were also present. Earlier, Singh and his UK counterpart Grant Shapps attended the India-UK Defence Industry CEOs Roundtable at Trinity House in London. Taking to X, Defence Minister’s Office stated, “Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh and his British counterpart Mr. @grantshapps attended the India-UK Defence Industry CEOs Roundtable at Trinity House in London.” The UK announced its plans to send its Littoral Response Group to the Indian Ocean Region later this year, with a proposal for the Carrier Strike Group to visit the Indian waters in 2025.Both will operate and train with Indian forces. The announcement was made by UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. The UK and India also vowed to continue strengthening ties during the Defence Minister’s visit to the country. In a post shared on X, Rajnath Singh stated, “Had a wonderful interaction with the industry leaders and CEOs at the UK-India Defence CEO Roundtable in London. India envisions an enriching partnership with the UK to cooperate, cocreate and co-innovate. By synergizing the strengths of both the countries, we can do great things together.” In a move that signals the growing importance of the strategic relationship between the UK and India, Defence Secretary Shapps welcomed Singh to the UK and the two leaders agreed on unprecedented levels of UK-India defence cooperation, according to an official release. The two nations also discussed future cooperation in defence from joint exercises to knowledge sharing and instructor exchanges. These steps build on the comprehensive strategic partnership envisaged in the 2030 India-UK roadmap, announced in 2021, it added. In the coming years, the UK and India will also embark on more complex exercises between their respective militaries, building up to a landmark joint exercise to be conducted before the end of 2030, supporting shared goals of protecting critical trade routes and upholding the international rules-based system, as per the release. Shapps said, “There is absolutely no question that the world is becoming increasingly contested, so it’s vital that we continue to build on our strategic relationships with key partners like India. Together we share the same security challenges and are steadfast on our commitment to maintaining a free and prosperous IndoPacific.” He said it is clear that “this relationship is going from strength-tostrength, but we must continue to work handin-hand to uphold global security in light of threats and challenges that seek to destabilise and damage us”. (ANI)
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