Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent spending by the government of India on defence, and its impact on global peace and regional stability.

We welcome the role India plays in global peace, not least its contribution as a troop-contributing peacekeeping country, and India’s key role in promoting regional security and stability. We are supportive of Indian membership of the major export control regimes and the UN Security Council. We welcome the Government of India’s commitment to increasing jobs, prosperity and skills in their defence sector. The UK is ready to work with India to achieve these aims, in accordance with our international commitments.