India and Germany have intensified their defence engagement as senior officials from both nations met in New Delhi on Tuesday, 18 November, for the High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and German Ministry of Defence State Secretary Jens Plötner co-chaired the dialogue, reaffirming defence cooperation as a central pillar of the 25-year Strategic Partnership.
Stronger Military Cooperation at the Centre of Talks
The Ministry of Defence said the two sides “reaffirmed their commitment” to deepening military-to-military cooperation, with a particular push toward joint development and co-production of defence equipment.
Both delegations reviewed existing collaboration frameworks and identified priority areas for technology co-creation and industrial partnerships, especially in high-end and niche defence technologies.
A senior official noted that the talks underscored the “shared intent to elevate defence cooperation to the next phase,” reflecting rising strategic convergence between the countries.
Focus on Regional Security and Joint Exercises
India and Germany exchanged assessments of the regional security environment, with discussions extending to expanding bilateral and multilateral defence engagements.
Germany confirmed it will take part in India’s flagship multinational exercises—Tarang Shakti (air combat) and Milan (naval)—scheduled for 2026. The German Air Force’s participation follows its first-ever aerial exercise on Indian soil in 2024, when Eurofighter Typhoons performed air manoeuvres with the Indian Air Force.
Both sides also explored mechanisms to institutionalise more frequent military exchanges and enhance interoperability.
Recognising India’s Role in the Indian Ocean Region
India reiterated its role as the “First Responder” and “Net Security Provider” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Defence Secretary Singh briefed the German delegation on India’s regional approach guided by MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement of Security and Growth Across Regions—which shapes India’s efforts in maritime security, development partnerships, capacity building, and humanitarian assistance.
The German side acknowledged India’s stabilising role in the IOR and emphasised the need for deeper maritime cooperation.
Pushing for Industry Linkages and Future-Ready Collaboration
A key outcome of the meeting was the shared emphasis on connecting the defence industries of both countries to build long-term, technology-driven partnerships.
Officials highlighted that collaboration in advanced systems, emerging technologies, and defence manufacturing is essential to their shared strategic objectives.
25 Years of Strategic Partnership: A Reinforced Commitment
As India and Germany mark 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, defence and security cooperation has gained renewed importance.
Both sides noted that trust built over decades now underpins a broad-based relationship—from inter-governmental consultations to growing defence exercises and maritime engagements.
An earlier boost came in 2024, when the Indian Navy’s INS Tabar held a Maritime Passage Exercise with the German Navy’s Sea Lynx helicopter, signalling expanding naval cooperation.
Outlook
With commitments to joint development, expanded exercises, and deeper industrial collaboration, the latest HDC meeting signals a decisive push toward a more ambitious India–Germany defence partnership—one that aligns with regional security priorities and the global shift toward resilient, technology-driven defence cooperation.
