New delhi: India and Germany have agreed to deepen their cooperation in a range of areas following extensive discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues. During a joint press conference, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who is leading a high-level delegation, highlighted the productive nature of their talks, which focused on enhancing India-Germany relations and their engagement with the EU, as well as addressing various regional, global, and multilateral matters.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Jaishankar detailed the discussions covering numerous facets of bilateral ties, including political cooperation, security and defense, economic relations, research and emerging technologies, climate and energy, education, skill development, mobility, and cultural exchanges. A notable point of discussion was the increase in defense and security collaboration, with Germany's participation in the Tarang Shakti air exercises and port calls to Goa, which both sides agreed to continue and expand.
The Indian minister expressed confidence in doubling trade between the two nations, noting that last year's bilateral trade nearly reached EUR 50 billion. He assured his German counterpart of special attention to any concerns German companies might have when operating in India. Highlighting semiconductor manufacturing as a promising area for cooperation, Jaishankar welcomed German investments and called for deeper industry-linked scientific collaboration.
Jaishankar also stressed the importance of cyber and digital dialogues and explored potential space cooperation, with Wadephul visiting the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Discussions included projects under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, focusing on green hydrogen, energy financing, and biofuels.
Both sides reviewed various regional and global situations, such as the Ukraine conflict, developments in the Middle East, and the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar advocated for a multipolar world order to address economic volatility and political uncertainty, emphasizing the need for enhanced consultations and cooperation among key global players.