At Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with ministers from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon to strengthen defence ties. Key discussions included military training, capacity building, and defence industry collaboration, underscored by the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
On the third day of Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in important bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon in Bengaluru. These meetings were primarily focused on advancing defence cooperation, enhancing military training, and fostering capacity-building initiatives among the participating nations.
In a meeting with Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, the two leaders assessed the current state of their defence collaboration. They agreed to strengthen military training and capacity-building efforts, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their commitment to expanding ties in defence industries and military medicine.
During discussions with Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed, the ministers expressed satisfaction with their burgeoning defence partnership. An MoU was signed to solidify existing cooperation in areas such as military training, peacekeeping operations, and capacity enhancement of Ethiopian Armed Forces, with a focus on involving India’s private defence sector in future initiatives.
In his engagement with Yemen’s Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed Hussein Al Daeri, Minister Singh emphasized the potential for increased military training and capacity-building initiatives. This meeting aimed to deepen strategic collaborations and provide a roadmap for future defence-related projects.
The dialogue with Gambian Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie reaffirmed both nations’ dedication to enhancing defence cooperation. They committed to improving capability-building actions and sharing best practices, while exploring cooperative opportunities within the defence industry to foster mutual interests.
Lastly, the meeting with Gabonese Defence Minister Brigitte Onkanowa highlighted the pursuit of stronger bilateral defence relations. The ministers pledged to enhance training and capacity-building efforts for Gabon’s Armed Forces and considered exploring collaborative ventures in the defence industry.
In summary, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s bilateral talks at Aero India 2025 marked significant advancements in defence cooperation with Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon. Each meeting led to the signing of key MoUs aimed at enhancing military training, capacity building, and collaboration in the defence industry, thus reinforcing India’s strategic partnerships across Africa.
Original Source: ddnews.gov.in
