Swedish defence minister meets Parrikar

Defence Ministers Peter Hultqvist of Sweden and Manohar Parrikar of India have agreed to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation between their defence establishments.

Hultqvist is on an official visit to India, from June 9 to 12. It follows President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Sweden when the two sides concluded 24 MoUs for cooperation in various fields.

Hultqvist and Parrikar, who met on Wednesday, discussed issues of mutual interests concerning bilateral military cooperation and regional security scenario, an official statement said.

Both sides exchanged views on the "rising scourge of terrorism and agreed to cooperate in this regard".

The issue of participation of Swedish firms in defence manufacturing in India under the 'Make-in-India' initiative was also discussed.

The two ministers agreed to continue to explore opportunities for enhancing cooperation between the defence establishments of both sides "in mutually agreed areas".