Britain, India hold first meeting as part of 2015 defense pact

April 13 (UPI) -- Britain and India reaffirmed their 2015 agreement to collaborate on defense projects and training during a high-profile meeting on Wednesday.

The event, attended by U.K. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon and Indian counterpart Arun Jaitley, marked the inaugural meeting for the U.K.-India Defense and International Security Partnership. The pact aims to strengthen ties between the countries while also bolstering defensive capabilities.

According to the British Defense Ministry, the leaders discussed upcoming military exercises, global security, and procurement plans.

"As Britain steps up globally, we continue to develop our close security partnership with India," Fallon said. "Our nations face the same threats and we will work closely together to harness British expertise and Indian brain power to develop cutting edge technologies and equipment that benefit both of our armed forces."

The meeting took place during Fallon's three-day visit to the country. The trip also included a visit to an Indian naval ship and the India Gate in Delhi.

The U.K.-India Defense and International Security Partnership was announced in November 2015 as a means of reducing violent conflict in afflicted areas, scaling back the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and cracking down on organized crime.