During Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held productive bilateral discussions with Defence Ministers from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon. The talks focused on enhancing defence cooperation across military training and capacity-building initiatives, with multiple MoUs signed to formalize these commitments.
On the third day of Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in a series of productive bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon in Bengaluru. The discussions were primarily aimed at enhancing defence cooperation, military training, and capacity-building initiatives between India and these nations.
In his dialogue with Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, Defence Minister Singh reviewed and reinforced the framework for bilateral defence cooperation. The ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance military training and capacity-building initiatives for Zimbabwe’s Armed Forces, underlining the importance of sustained engagement for effective implementation.
The meeting with Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed further solidified bilateral ties, culminating in the signing of an MoU that institutionalizes cooperation in military training, peacekeeping missions, and capacity building. Both leaders acknowledged the potential for collaborative opportunities in the defence industry, especially involving India’s thriving private sector.
In discussions with Yemen’s Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed Hussein Al Daeri, Minister Singh emphasized enhancing military training and capacity-building efforts. The meeting served to deepen the defence partnership, setting the stage for strategic initiatives that align with Yemen’s defence requirements.
Engaging with Gambian Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in defence, emphasizing capacity building and the sharing of best practices. They also recognized the prospects for collaboration within the defence industry, fostering mutual growth in these sectors.
Lastly, Minister Singh’s meeting with Gabonese Defence Minister Brigitte Onkanowa focused on advancing bilateral defence relations. Both leaders pledged to strengthen collaborative efforts in military training and capacity enhancement, while also exploring opportunities within the defence industry for Gabon’s Armed Forces.
In summary, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meetings at Aero India 2025 significantly bolstered India’s defence relationships with Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon. The signing of various Memoranda of Understanding underscored a collective commitment towards enhanced military training, capacity building, and collaboration within the defence sector, paving the way for future strategic partnerships.
Original Source: ddnews.gov.in
