Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and German Ministry of Defence State Secretary Benedikt Zimmer co-chaired the India-Germany High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting in Berlin on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards enhancing bilateral security and defence cooperation.
The meeting focused on a wide array of issues, including regional security dynamics and potential collaborative defence industrial projects. Both sides underscored the importance of fostering a closer defence partnership, with a particular emphasis on leveraging high technology in defence.
According to a press release by the Ministry of Defence, discussions encompassed the regional security landscape, prospects for joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, and avenues for advancing defence industrial collaboration. The meeting highlighted the mutual desire to deepen ties between the defence industries of India and Germany.
This high-level engagement follows German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius’ visit to India in 2023, indicating the sustained momentum in bilateral defence dialogue. During his visit to Germany, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane engaged with the German Institute of International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik – SWP), further underscoring the commitment to robust defence cooperation.
India and Germany share a longstanding relationship, marked by diplomatic ties established shortly after the Second World War. The two countries elevated their partnership to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ in May 2000, reflecting the depth of their collaboration across various sectors.
The recent visit of German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock to India, where she participated in the prestigious Raisina Dialogue, further highlighted the multifaceted nature of bilateral engagement. The dialogue served as a platform to address pressing global challenges and reaffirm the shared commitment to addressing them collectively.
Additionally, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meeting with Minister Baerbock on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference underscored the ongoing dialogue between the two nations. Their discussions encompassed a wide range of global issues, including preparations for the forthcoming India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, indicative of the proactive approach towards advancing bilateral ties.
The India-Germany High Defence Committee meeting signifies a concerted effort to deepen defence collaboration, underscoring the commitment of both nations to strengthen regional and global security frameworks.