India’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, met with Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harvey Smyth, to discuss steps to deepen defence cooperation between India and the United Kingdom. The two leaders focused on expanding collaboration across maritime and aerospace domains, improving jointness, and enhancing operational interoperability to meet evolving security challenges.
Discussions covered a range of practical measures, including increased operational cooperation, expanded training exchanges, instructor exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives. Both sides emphasized integrated approaches to sustain stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic ties and build enduring defence partnerships.
Earlier in his visit, Sir Harvey Smyth toured Air Force Station Gwalior to observe fighter-base operations and engage with Indian Air Force personnel. He was received by Air Marshal B. Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command, and reviewed operational aspects of the strategic base.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan also held a high-level meeting with Sir Harvey Smyth. Their talks highlighted instructor exchanges as a core pillar of bilateral cooperation and noted notable progress in defence intelligence collaboration. The CDS welcomed the outcomes of the 17th Military Sub Group Meeting and expressed confidence in advancing a more integrated, future-ready defence relationship.
Sir Harvey Smyth’s three-day visit to India, hosted by the British High Commission, underscored deepening defence ties—particularly in the air domain—through expanded training, operational exchanges, and strategic engagement. During his stay he paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial, inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the Indian Air Force, and met India’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, to discuss emerging security threats and further cooperation between the two air forces.
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