For the first time ever, the Red Arrows aerobatics team of the British Royal Air Force will spew fumes in the tricolour of the Indian flag in a flypast on Thursday to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit.
Besides a possible announcement for the purchase of 20 more Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft for the Indian Air Force, Mr. Modi’s visit will see high-level consultations on British investments in the defence sector under the Make in India programme, and stepping up of bilateral coordination over terrorism-related issues.
“There will be a lot of political and security-related discussions between the Prime Ministers and also on terrorism and extremism. We expect a statement on defence and security, development partnership and on energy and climate change,” Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar told media in New Delhi.
Officials said the two sides had already been exchanging notes on terrorism, especially the growing Islamic State footprints in South Asia and recruitment of South Asian youths from the U.K. for the terrorist organisation. Hundreds of youths from Britain are fighting in Syria and Iraq in the IS, while India is concerned not just about some of its youths joining the outfit, but also about the lone wolf attacks taking place in Bangladesh. Officials said the two sides had stepped up their cooperation in recent months over the issue. On the eve of his departure, Mr.Modi said in a statement: “We have traditionally been cooperating extensively on defence and security issues and this visit will build on strong ties. Defence manufacturing will be a prime focus in my talks.”
In London, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: “We see scope for a much greater government-to-government relationship in defence equipment, playing into the Make in India programme.”
Officials said a proposal for the purchase of 20 additional Hawk trainers built by BAE systems could be announced.
