NSA Ajit Doval meets UK counterpart, discusses global issues

The India-UK Strategic Dialogue on Thursday saw National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval meeting Tim Barrow, his counterpart from the United Kingdom.

The “Technology and Security Initiative, which will be a major bilateral mechanism to strengthen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies between the two countries,” was discussed by the two top sides during this meeting, according to government officials.

NSA Ajit Doval and Tim Barrow talked about mutually beneficial regional and global concerns as well as bilateral issues.

“This visit will strengthen and further broaden the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries,” said government officials.

Prior to this, NSA Tim Barrow and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met in Delhi to talk about significant regional and international concerns. Barrow and Jaishankar discussed the development of the bilateral relations between India and the UK.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Good to meet UK NSA Tim Barrow today in Delhi. Discussed a range of regional and global issues of importance. Also reviewed the progress in our bilateral ties.”

A 21-person delegation from the Royal College of Defence Studies paid their respects at the war memorial in New Delhi on May 7th, marking the start of their journey to India.

Specializing in international security and national defense, the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is a British military staff college attended by senior officers from the British Armed Forces, Civil Service, and Diplomatic Service.

The institution wants to produce leaders and strategic thinkers who can function at the highest level in an international and cross-government setting.

As part of their research tour, the team from the UK-based academy is currently in India and will be traveling throughout the nation.

“A delegation of the Royal College of Defence Studies today began their India visit by visiting the @salute2soldier in New Delhi and laying a wreath to pay their homage to the fallen soldiers,” said Brigadier Nick Sawyer, UK Defence Adviser in India, in a statement providing details about the visit. As part of their study tour, the 21-person cohort will be traveling across the nation."

Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) states that India and the UK are deeply connected by history and culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached an agreement in 2021 on the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and the “India-UK Roadmap 2030,” which will guide bilateral relations for the ensuing thirty years.