Boris Johnson to offer India help to build its own fighter jets

Boris Johnson to offer India help to build its own fighter jets
April 22, 2022, 6:59 am

Boris Johnson begins a two-day visit to India and will meet PM Modi on Apr 22 (Photo: UK Prime Minister Twitter page)

The Rashtranews reported, citing Reuters, UK PM Boris Johnson will reiterate the vital importance of the UK-India partnership for global peace and security, as he visits New Delhi today (Apr 22).

In his first visit to New Delhi as prime minister, Johnson will discuss with Narendra Modi boosting trade and security ties with the South Asian country that buys more than half of its military hardware from Russia.

In meetings with PM Modi on Friday, Johnson is expected to discuss next-generation defence and security collaboration across the five domains – land, sea, air, space and cyber.

This includes support for new Indian-designed and built fighter jets, offering the best of British know-how on building battle-winning aircraft. The UK will also seek to support India’s requirements for new technology to identify and respond to threats in the Indian Ocean.

NEW: More than 11,000 new UK jobs will be created through new India trade and investment deals.

The UK-India partnership is delivering jobs, growth and opportunity for our people.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 21, 2022

To support greater defence and security collaboration with India over the coming decade, the UK will issue an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) to India, reducing bureaucracy and shortening delivery times for defence procurement. This is our first OGEL in the Indo-Pacific region.

Johnson said in a statement after visiting Modi’s home state of Gujarat on Thursday: “The UK’s partnership with India is a beacon in these stormy seas. Our collaboration on the issues that matter to both our countries, from climate change to energy security and defence, is of vital importance as we look to the future."

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He added: “I look forward to discussing these issues with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi today and working together to deliver a more secure and prosperous future for both our peoples."

Johnson will also discuss new cooperation on clean and renewable energy in his meetings in New Delhi, aimed at supporting India’s energy transition away from imported oil and increasing its resilience through secure and sustainable energy, and addressing climate change in both the UK and India.

The UK and India are launching a virtual Hydrogen Science and Innovation hub to accelerate affordable green hydrogen, as well as new funding for the Green Grids Initiative announced at COP26, and collaboration on joint work on the electrification of public transport across India.

Boris Johnson begins a two-day visit to India and will meet PM Modi on Apr 22

As well as boosting the domestic energy and economic resilience, the UK and India are collaborating as a force for good globally. The governments are committing up to £75 million to roll out adaptable clean tech innovations from India to the wider Indo-Pacific and Africa, and working together on international development and girls education.

Source: rashtranews

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