India-African Defence Discussion To Take Place At DefExpo 2022

The second iteration of the India-Africa Defence Dialogue, to be held in Gandhinagar from October 18 to 22, will be hosted by the upcoming DefExpo 2022, to which 53 African nations have been invited. The Defence Ministry announced on Saturday that a separate Indian Ocean Region Plus (IOR+) summit with participation from over 40 countries is also in the works.

At a meeting on Saturday with the Chief Secretary of Gujarat, Pankaj Kumar, and other senior officials from the State government and the Defense Ministry, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar went through the Expo preparations.

Only Indian businesses will be present at this edition. When the crisis in Ukraine started on February 24, the Ministry had announced that the Expo had been postponed because of “logistical issues.” Indian enterprises, Indian subsidiaries of international Original Equipment Manufacturers, Divisions of companies registered in India, and exhibitors who have joint ventures with Indian companies will all be regarded as Indian participants for DefExpo 2022, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated.

The goal of DefExpo 2022, whose motto is “Path to Pride,” is to demonstrate the strength of the indigenous defence sector, which is now driving the government and the country’s will to “Make in India, Make for the World,” a statement.

This edition of the expo will have a total floor space of more than one million square metres, making it the largest one to date. The Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center will host the opening ceremony and seminars. Helipad Exhibition Center will host the exhibition. The Sabarmati River Front will host live demonstrations every day for five days, and Porbandar will host ship visits by the Indian Coast Guard for the general public.

Another highlight of the mega-event will be the largest drone exhibition put on by the local IIT-Delhi start-up, Botlabs, the announcement.