Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held extensive talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in New Delhi to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, particularly industrial partnership.
The Indian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that both the "ministers reviewed the ongoing bilateral defense cooperation activities and explored ways to enhance the collaboration, particularly defense industrial partnership." The Indian minister also underlined the opportunities that have opened up in the defense production sector. He pointed out to the possibilities for German investments in the two Defense Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. "The Indian defense industry could participate in the supply chains of German defense industry and add value to the ecosystem, besides contributing to supply chain resilience," the ministry said. Rajnath Singh also highlighted the possibility of building a more symbiotic relationship. This has to be based on "shared goals and complementarity of strength, namely skilled workforce and competitive costs from India and high technologies and investment from Germany." India and Germany have established Strategic Partnership since 2000. Inter-Governmental Consultations at the level of heads of between India and Germany have been strengthened since 2011. Indian Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan participated in the delegation-level meeting from Indian side while State Secretary from Ministry of Defense of Germany Benedikt Zimmer and senior officials were also present. Boris Pistorius is scheduled to meet Indian defense start-ups in Delhi. He will travel to Mumbai to visit the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
The German minister arrived in India yesterday on a four-day visit.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
