On the sidelines of Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions in Bengaluru on February 12, 2025, with his counterparts from Zimbabwe, Yemen, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon.
In his meeting with Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister, Mrs. Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, both leaders reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and agreed to collaborate on training, military courses, and capacity building for Zimbabwe’s Armed Forces. They signed an MoU on defence cooperation, emphasizing regular ministerial engagements for its effective implementation. Both nations also expressed interest in deepening defence industry collaboration and discussed cooperation in military medicine.
During talks with Ethiopia’s Defence Minister, Mrs. Aisha Mohammed (Eng.), both sides acknowledged the strengthening bilateral defence ties and signed an MoU to institutionalize their cooperation. They explored collaboration in military training, courses, peacekeeping, and capacity building for Ethiopia’s Armed Forces, while also discussing potential partnerships in the defence industry, with a focus on India’s private sector.
In his meeting with Yemen’s Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed Hussein Al Daeri, both leaders discussed enhancing defence engagements, particularly in military training, capacity building, and courses for Yemen’s Armed Forces. The discussions aimed to further advance defence cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting with Gambia’s Defence Minister, Mr. Sering Modou Njie, reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening defence ties. They emphasized collaboration in capacity building, capability enhancement, and knowledge sharing, while also recognizing significant opportunities for defence industry cooperation.
During discussions with Gabon’s Defence Minister, Ms. Brigitte Onkanowa, both leaders explored ways to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, focusing on training, capability enhancement for Gabon’s Armed Forces, and potential partnerships in the defence industry.
These engagements underscored India’s commitment to fostering strong defence ties with partner nations and expanding collaboration in training, capacity building, and defence industry cooperation.