Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held bilateral talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin, focusing on strengthening the strategic defence partnership between the two countries.
The two sides discussed a range of security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment, particularly in niche technologies. They also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation as a key pillar of the broader strategic partnership.
During the meeting, India and Germany inked a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an Implementing Arrangement for cooperation in UN peacekeeping training. Singh described his visit as a symbol of “deep friendship, synergy and trust”, noting that defence ties have gained momentum in recent years.
Referring to the European Union framework, Singh said the recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership marked a significant step in expanding engagement. Both sides agreed to leverage this framework bilaterally and in the wider European context to strengthen regional stability, enhance joint capabilities and reinforce Indo-German strategic alignment.
Highlighting global uncertainties, Singh said India and Germany have provided “stability and strength” to the global economy. On terrorism, he stressed that it must be condemned “in all its forms and manifestations, unequivocally, without exception or justification”.
Pistorius welcomed the institutionalisation of service-level staff talks and future bilateral military exercises. Singh said India is looking forward to the participation of the German Air Force in the next edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti, scheduled to be held in India later this year.
Earlier, Singh was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the German Ministry of Defence. He also laid a wreath at the Bundeswehr Memorial, paying tribute to German armed forces personnel who died in the line of duty.
India and Germany are marking 25 years of their strategic partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. The bilateral relationship spans defence, trade and investment, technology, green energy, education, and cultural exchanges, reflecting its expanding scope and potential.
Singh is on a three-day official visit to Germany from April 21 to April 23.
