NEW DELHI: The first Secretary-level meeting between the Defence Ministries of India and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took place in New Delhi, on July 5. It marks a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation.
The Indian delegation, led by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane, was joined by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Armed Forces. The Congolese delegation, headed by Major General Lukuikila Metikwiza Marcel, Permanent Secretary of Defence, Ministry of Defence, DRC, included senior officials and a representative from the Embassy of DRC in India.
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The primary agenda of the meeting was to explore avenues for collaboration to enhance bilateral defence ties. Discussions were comprehensive, focusing on areas such as training exchanges and defence industry cooperation. India showcased its advancements in defence manufacturing, emphasizing its potential to contribute significantly to the modernization goals of the DRC Armed Forces.
The Congolese delegation expressed a keen interest in leveraging India’s defence industry capabilities, highlighting areas for potential co-production and co-development initiatives. They emphasized the importance of modernizing their armed forces and expressed confidence in India’s expertise and capabilities in this regard.
Earlier in the day, the DRC delegation had the opportunity to meet with Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, further reinforcing the warm and cooperative relations between the two nations.
India and the DRC share a long history of diplomatic ties, with India being among the first countries to establish a diplomatic mission in Kinshasa back in 1962. The meeting today is expected to pave the way for enhanced defence collaboration, opening up new avenues for mutual benefit and cooperation in the defence sector.
Both sides expressed optimism about the outcomes of the meeting and reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence relations. The visit underscores India’s proactive approach in fostering partnerships with African nations and underscores its growing influence in the global defence arena.