According to a Joint Statement issued after the talks, both sides are actively seeking to enhance research, co-development and co-production activities bilaterally, under EU and with other partners…reports Asian Lite News
India and Germany have acknowledged the need to further deepen bilateral security and defence cooperation as strategic partners to jointly address global security challenges.
At the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (ICG) held in Berlin on Monday, they agreed to intensify bilateral exchanges on security and defence issues.
The plenary session of the IGC was co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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According to a Joint Statement issued after the talks, both sides are actively seeking to enhance research, co-development and co-production activities bilaterally, under EU and with other partners. In this regard, both sides agreed to continue to hold regular bilateral Cyber Consultations and reconvene the Defence Technology Sub-Group (DTSG) meeting.
The two Governments expressed support for enhancing high-technology trade, including defence goods, between the two countries, the Joint Statement added.
With a view to deepening the security cooperation, both sides agreed to begin negotiations on an Agreement on the exchange of classified information, said Joint Statement issued after the talks.
“The focus in the Defence Partnership, between our two countries has been on how the two countries can work together on co-designing, co-development, co-manufacturing, of different elements of Defence manufacturing,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra reiterated in response to a query at a media briefing after the day’s talks.
Earlier, the two leaders met in one-on-one format followed by delegation level talks, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
According to the MEA, the discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.
“Discussions continue between PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz in Berlin. Both leaders are reviewing the full range of bilateral ties between India and Germany, including giving an impetus to trade as well as cultural linkages. @Bundeskanzler,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi was earlier accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and received by Chancellor Scholz at the Federal Chancellery.
The meeting between PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz was held prior to the sixth round of Biennial Inter Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.
The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany.
The Prime Minister is on a three-nation visit to Europe. From Germany, he will travel to Denmark for bilateral talks and to participate in the 2nd India-Nordic summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway.
He will make a stopover in Paris on his way back to India to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.
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