Defence secy talks to German envoy & Greece dy min to widen strategic partnerships

New Delhi: Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met with German Ambassador Jasper Wieck on Thursday to discuss deepening India-Germany defense cooperation and their broader strategic partnership. The talks focused on strengthening military and defense-industrial ties, including collaboration in advanced technologies and maritime security.

This follows a series of high-level defense engagements between the two nations this year, such as the agreement to enhance co-development and co-production of defense equipment in niche technologies. Moreover, India and Germany have signed a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to foster long-term industry-level collaboration.

A key aspect of their expanding partnership is Project-75(I), which involves Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders constructing six next-generation conventional submarines. Wieck confirmed the agreement had been finalized on the German side, pending completion of India's internal processes. In parallel, Singh met with Greece's Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Stefanos Gkikas, to further their defense and strategic cooperation, focusing on maritime security, coastal security, and shipbuilding.

Both nations highlighted their shared interests as major maritime nations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and security of seafarers. The discussions underscored the growing maritime dimension of their strategic partnership, encompassing areas crucial for secure sea lanes, coastal protection, and naval capability development. The meeting also built upon the broader expansion of India-Greece defense ties.