NSA Doval, UK counterpart discuss key technology, global issues during strategic talks

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday met his United Kingdom counterpart Tim Barrow for India-UK strategic dialogue.

Government officials said that during the meeting, the two top sides “discussed the Technology and Security Initiative, which will be a major bilateral mechanism to strengthen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies between the two countries”.

They also discussed bilateral issues and regional and global matters of mutual interest.

“The visit will strengthen and broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries,” government officials said.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with NSA Tim Barrow in Delhi and discussed regional and global issues of importance. Jaishankar and Barrow reviewed progress in bilateral relations.

In a post on Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Nice to meet UK NSA Tim Barrow in Delhi today. Discussed important regional and global issues. Also reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations.

On May 7, a 21-member delegation from the Royal College of Defense Studies began their visit to India by laying floral tributes at the War Memorial in New Delhi.

The Royal College of Defense Studies (RCDS) is a British military staff college that trains senior officers of the British Armed Forces, Civil Service and Diplomatic Service in international security and national defence.

The college aims to develop strategic thinkers and leaders who can operate at the strategic level in intergovernmental and international environments.

A delegation from the UK-based academy is on a visit to India and will travel across the country as part of its study tour.

Sharing details about the visit, Brigadier Nick Sawyer, UK Defense Advisor to India, said, “A delegation from the Royal College of Defense Studies began their visit to India today by visiting @salute2soldier and paying floral tributes in New Delhi . Fallen soldiers. The 21-member team will travel across the country as part of its study tour.

Notably, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), relations between India and the UK are bound by strong ties of history and culture. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then UK PM Boris Johnson agreed on the India-UK ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ and the India-UK Roadmap 2030 to advance cooperation for the next 30 years.