Indian media: British military frequently visits India to promote defense cooperation

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] According to the Indian Asian News Agency, Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan and British Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston met in New Delhi on the 24th, focusing on the progress made in training exchanges, intelligence cooperation, and comprehensive military collaboration between the two countries. This year, the British military has frequently visited India to advance defense cooperation between the two nations.

The Indian Ministry of Defense issued a statement on social media on the 24th, stating that Chauhan expressed confidence in advancing a deeper, more integrated, and future-oriented defense cooperation between India and the UK. Both sides believe that the India-UK defense partnership is increasingly strengthening, with officer exchanges remaining an important pillar of defense cooperation, and significant progress has also been made in military intelligence exchanges.

The statement also mentioned that in February of this year, India and the UK signed an agreement under which the Indian Air Force will send three qualified flying instructors to British Royal Air Force bases. Currently, one Indian instructor is serving at the Royal Air Force Cranwell College. According to the Indian "Ladakh Times," Wigston announced after his talks with Chauhan that another Indian Air Force flying instructor will go to the UK to teach in September this year.

The "Ladakh Times" quoted a statement from the Defense Advisor of the British High Commission, Sanders, stating that sending Indian Air Force instructors to British training institutions and strengthening multi-domain cooperation indicates a substantial enhancement of defense cooperation between the two countries. It is understood that since 2026, the British military has visited India four times, with Wigston being the highest-ranking officer.

According to Indian media "News Factory," Wigston's visit to India lasts for three days, and on the first day, the 23rd, he first met with Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, where they discussed strengthening the ties between the two air forces. In addition to military personnel, Wigston also met with Indian civilian officials. (Huang Xiaona)