NEW DELHI, Apr 23 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday invited the German industry to co-develop and co-produce with India, as he underscored the need to forge partnerships based on reliability and shared interests amid the current shifts in geopolitical alignments and disruptions in supply chains.
He was addressing Indian and German defence industry leaders during the Defence Investor Summit in Munich on the final day of three-day maiden visit to the European nation.
Singh invited the German industry to co-develop and co-produce with India, particularly in the field of niche technologies, the defence ministry said in a statement.
He underscored the need to forge partnerships based on reliability and shared interests, terming them as indispensable in the current shifts in geopolitical alignments, disruptions in supply chains, rapid technological transformations, and increasing global uncertainties.
The defence minister asserted that nations and industries are re-evaluating their dependencies, diversifying their supply chains, and seeking reliable partners who ensure resilience, continuity and mutual trust.
Singh said India, in this scenario, offers an expanding market, young and skilled workforce, and a rapidly evolving industrial ecosystem, coupled with stability, predictability, and a commitment to the rule of law. These are the critical factors for long-term investment decisions in an uncertain world, he added.
Referring to the significant untapped potential under the ReArm Europe and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, he reiterated that Indian companies are keen to engage with German firms for co-development and co-production in areas including advanced radar and sensor technology, multi-sensors, AI-enabled Unmanned Aerial Systems and high-power low frequency underwater transmitters.
Singh highlighted India’s transformative journey of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the ministry said.
This goal, he said, is supported by a clear vision, strong policy direction, and the collective aspiration of 1.4 billion people.
“We are one of the fastest-growing and stable major economies in the world, with a strong macroeconomic foundation and a clear policy direction,” Singh added.
“In today’s interconnected and interdependent world, partnerships are not optional, they are essential. Our engagement with Germany is rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. It is a partnership that offers mutual benefit, shared growth, and long-term value creation,” he said.
Singh pointed out that India recognises the significant role of the defence sector in the journey towards becoming a developed nation, and has placed it at the heart of its industrial and technological strategy.
“Defence industrial ecosystem encourages collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions. This leads to the creation of start-ups, the development of niche technologies, and the strengthening of supply chains.
“In this sense, a strong defence industrial base contributes not only to national security but also to economic resilience and global competitiveness. We aspire to build a strong, modern, and a self-reliant defence industrial base. It is essential for strategic autonomy, and economic future,” he asserted.
Singh told the German industry captains that the government of India, over the past decade, has undertaken a series of structural reforms to improve the ease of doing business and make India an attractive destination for investment.
“Our policies are transparent, predictable, and investor-friendly. We have liberalised our norms, strengthened our regulatory frameworks, and invested heavily in infrastructure,” he said.
As a partner in global supply chains, collaboration with India can help diversify risks and build resilience. This is not a short-term opportunity. It is a long-term strategic proposition, the defence minister asserted.
Singh appreciated the deepening of India-Germany defence relations through significant industrial partnerships, with a growing focus on co-development and co-production.
“Both nations are aligning their industries to create resilient supply chains for defence equipment, particularly in response to geopolitical shifts,” he said.
Singh also said that India looks forward to a deep and enduring partnership with Germany.
If the earlier chapters of India-Germany partnership were written through technology, enterprise, and culture, the next chapter can be written through innovation, capability, and strategic cooperation, he said.
On April 22, Singh visited the TKMS Submarine building facility in Kiel, underscoring the deepening defence engagement between India and Germany.
The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on advanced maritime capabilities and explore avenues for collaboration in naval technologies, in line with India’s defence modernisation priorities, the ministry said.
Earlier, Singh held bilateral talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin, aimed at further strengthening the strategic defence partnership with the European nation.
The ‘Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap’ and ‘Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation’ in UN Peacekeeping Training were inked and exchanged during the meeting. (PTI)
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