According to reports, Goa Shipyard Ltd and Kenya Shipyard Ltd have entered into a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum focuses on enhancing capacity and fostering collaboration in the realms of ship design and construction. This development coincided with a meeting between India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Aden Bare Duale, held in Delhi.

The discussions during the meeting primarily centered on the augmentation of defence cooperation. As per statements from the defence ministry, the deliberations extensively covered topics such as capacity building and fostering cooperation within the defence industrial sector.

“The meeting was a testimony to the increasing depth of the India-Kenya defence partnership. Both ministers agreed that the defence relationship between the two countries has evolved from being training-centric to include more strategic aspects,” it said.

Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister of India, presented a notable gesture of cooperation during a meeting with Aden Bare Duale, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence of Kenya. It was reported that Singh gifted a total of 15 pairs of parachutes, encompassing both main and reserve chutes, which had been manufactured by Gliders India Limited. These parachutes were intended for utilization by the Kenyan armed forces.

In the course of their discussions, the two ministers concurred on the imperative of establishing deeper levels of collaboration in safeguarding maritime security within the Indian Ocean region. The official statement elaborated that this shared viewpoint highlighted the significant focus on maritime security shared by both nations.

Duale, who was on a three-day diplomatic visit to India, conveyed his admiration for the progressive strides achieved by the Indian defence industry, including notable contributions from the private sector. During the discussions, he specifically pinpointed areas in which the Indian industry could extend its support to cater to the requirements of the Kenyan armed forces.

The narrative further expanded as it was disclosed that both parties arrived at a mutual consensus to engage in joint training activities within the domains of counterinsurgency and United Nations peacekeeping operations. The statement affirmed that this agreement was reached following comprehensive deliberations on the matter.

Furthermore, the talks delved into various issues pertaining to regional security that held mutual interest. These discussions extended beyond bilateral concerns and encompassed broader regional security dynamics. The statement underscored the multifaceted nature of the dialogue, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the deliberations between the two sides.

Image source: HT