British Trade Delegation To Visit India

New Delhi, Feb 5, IRNA - Seeking to form a strong partnership with Indian defense industry a UK trade delegation will undertake a 5-day visit to India from Monday to meet key decision-makers and potential partners in the crucial sector. The delegation comprising over 20 defense firms is the largest since the David Cameron government assumed power. The high-profile delegation's visit comes days after UK-backed Eurofighter Typhoon lost out to French firm Dassault Rafale in bagging the 126 fighter jet deal worth USD 10 billion from India. The mission is organized by the UK's Trade and Investment Defense and Security Organization (UKTI DSO) in cooperation with UK trade association Aerospace Defence Security (ADS). It will be led by Parliamentary Undersecretary of State Gerald Howarth, MP, who is also UK's Minister for International Security Strategy. The mission has the full support of the Indian Ministry of Defense, pti reported quoting a statement. The trade mission will visit three Indian cities, each with a particular focus: Delhi for the overarching Indian government perspective; Bangalore for aerospace, electronics and land systems; and Mumbai for maritime systems. Each hub will provide an opportunity for real business to business interaction identifying opportunities and potential partnerships as well as providing UK companies a better understanding of how to do business in India. A range of private sector and government speakers will provide an overview of the defense market place and environment in India. Face-to-face discussions between UK missioners and Indian defence companies will be facilitated in each hub by the Indian defense trade associations Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). 'This defense trade mission to India is historic. Over 20 major UK defense companies are going to India this week to both learn about how to do business in India but also seek opportunities to work with Indian businesses and the Ministry of Defense.' This is the largest UK defense trade mission since this government came into power in may 2010 and reinforces the importance the UK government attaches to relationship with India./end