Defence Secretary Co-Chairs India-Germany High Defence Committee Meeting in Berlin

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane co-chaired the India-Germany High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting in Berlin on 27th February 2024, alongside Mr Benedikt Zimmer, the State Secretary of the German Ministry of Defence. The meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to bolstering bilateral security and defence cooperation, essential components of the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany.

Discussions revolved around various bilateral security and defence matters, with a notable emphasis on advancing defence collaboration as a cornerstone of the strategic relationship. Key topics included assessments of the regional security landscape, potential joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, and exploration of defence industrial projects and initiatives. Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening defence ties and fostering greater integration between their respective defence industries, with a particular focus on cooperation in high technology within the defence sector.

The convening of the HDC meeting follows the reciprocal visit of German Federal Minister of Defence Mr Boris Pistorius to India in 2023, signifying the ongoing commitment to deepening bilateral defence engagements.

Subsequently, Shri Giridhar Aramane engaged with the German Institute of International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik – SWP), a prominent think tank in Berlin, further enriching discussions on matters of international security and defence cooperation.