- Defence Minister calls Indian diaspora the “strongest bridge” between India and Germany
- Pitch for co-create, co-develop, co-innovate under Aatmanirbhar Bharat to boost defence ties
- 75 years of diplomatic relations anchored in trust, shared values, and growing strategic convergence
- Strong message on global security, West Asia challenges, and need for coordinated responses
- Highlights India’s economic rise, tech strides, and global voice under Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Pays homage to Rabindranath Tagore in Berlin, underscoring cultural connect
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI/BERLIN, APR 22
Blending diaspora outreach, defence diplomacy, and cultural homage, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scripted a multi-dimensional engagement in Berlin, reinforcing India’s strategic, economic, and civilisational ties with Germany during the first day of his three-day visit.
Interacting with the Indian community, Singh lauded the nearly 300,000-strong diaspora as a vital pillar of bilateral relations. “Indian community is the strongest bridge between the two countries,” he said, acknowledging their contributions across business, technology, healthcare, academia, and the arts.
Calling the interaction a special moment, he expressed gratitude for the warm reception and urged the diaspora to amplify India’s voice globally. “Earlier, India’s words at the international fora were not heeded; but today, the whole world listens carefully,” he said, highlighting India’s rising global stature under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Marking 75 years of India–Germany diplomatic relations, the Defence Minister emphasised that the partnership is rooted in trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. He exhorted the diaspora to deepen economic engagement while staying connected to their cultural roots, assuring continued government support and security for Indians abroad.
On the strategic front, addressing German Parliamentarians, Singh made a strong case for deepening defence industrial collaboration. “Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not merely a procurement programme; it is an invitation to co-create, co-develop, and co-innovate,” he said, inviting German industry to partner in India’s expanding defence ecosystem.
Underscoring the evolving nature of global security, he cautioned that emerging threats and rapid technological transformations demand agility and cooperation. “Coordinated responses, trusted strategic partnerships & willingness to adapt to changing environment is the need of the hour,” he stated.
Highlighting complementarities between the two nations, he noted that Germany’s advanced industrial base and Mittelstand can synergise with India’s dynamic start-ups and growing private sector capabilities. He stressed that such collaboration can yield “significant mutual gains” and further strengthen strategic ties.
Touching upon geopolitical challenges, Singh pointed out that global instability, particularly in West Asia, carries far-reaching implications. “For a developing country like India, which relies on the West Asian region for a significant share of its energy requirements, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are not distant events, they are stark realities with direct implications for our security and economic stability,” he said.
He highlighted India’s proactive approach in dealing with such crises. “India’s proactive & coordinated strategy in view of West Asia situation reflects its capacity to respond to global crises with calmness, foresight & effective institutional coordination,” he noted, referring to the Group of Ministers continuously assessing developments.
Reiterating the broader vision, Singh said India and Germany are not just strategic partners but also key voices in shaping global discourse. “When the chronicles of this era are penned, the India-Germany partnership will stand as a paragon of diplomacy, crafted not in response to crisis, but through the steady resolve of two mature democracies choosing to walk this path together,” he asserted.
Earlier, the Defence Minister paid floral tributes to Rabindranath Tagore at Humboldt University in Berlin, highlighting the enduring cultural and intellectual bonds between the two nations.
