Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks at Aero India 2025 with counterparts from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon. The discussions aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, focusing on military training and capacity-building efforts. Multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to formalize these commitments.
On the third day of Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with counterparts from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon in Bengaluru. The key focus of these meetings was to bolster defence cooperation, facilitate military training, and enhance capacity-building efforts among the nations involved.
In the meeting with Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, the ministers reviewed bilateral defence cooperation. They agreed to expand collaboration in military training and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen ties, with an emphasis on effective implementation and potential collaboration in defence industries.
During discussions with Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the evolving defence relationship. An MoU was signed to institutionalize their cooperation, focusing on military training, peacekeeping, and capacity building for Ethiopia’s Armed Forces, while also exploring the role of India’s private sector in defence.
Rajnath Singh and Yemen’s Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed Hussein Al Daeri, discussed enhancing military training engagements. Their talks aimed to deepen defence cooperation and provide strategic guidance for future initiatives tailored to support Yemen’s Armed Forces.
During the discussions with Gambian Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie, both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening capacity building and capability enhancement cooperation. They also acknowledged the potential for collaboration within the defence industry to further enhance bilateral relations.
In his meeting with Gabonese Defence Minister Brigitte Onkanowa, Minister Singh underscored the importance of bilateral defence cooperation. Both sides committed to enhancing training and capabilities for Gabon’s Armed Forces, while also exploring opportunities in the defence industry sector.
The series of meetings during Aero India 2025 affirmed India’s commitment to enhancing bilateral defence relations with various nations. The signed Memoranda of Understanding reflect a strategic framework for cooperation, encompassing military training and capacity building. These engagements indicate a promising future for defence partnerships among these countries, fostering collaboration in both military and industrial sectors.
Original Source: ddnews.gov.in
