Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Germany from April 21 to 23, 2026, for high-level talks aimed at strengthening the strategic defence partnership between India and Germany. During the three-day trip he is scheduled to meet his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, and other senior officials to discuss deeper cooperation across defence and security sectors.
The talks will prioritise expanding defence-industrial collaboration and stepping up military-to-military engagement. Officials say both sides plan to explore cooperation in emerging domains such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and drone technology-areas seen as critical to future operational capabilities.
Key agreements are expected during the visit, including a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an implementing arrangement on joint training for UN peacekeeping operations. These pacts are intended to provide a framework for sustained industry ties and practical cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.
Singh will also use the trip to review ongoing defence initiatives and to meet representatives of the German defence industry. The discussions are expected to advance joint development and co-production opportunities under India’s Make-in-India initiative, with an emphasis on transfer of technology and local manufacturing.
This is the first visit to Germany by an Indian defence minister in seven years; the previous ministerial trip was by Nirmala Sitharaman in February 2019. The visit builds on groundwork laid when Pistorius visited India in June 2023 and signals a steady broadening of India‑Germany ties in defence and security.
India and Germany describe their relationship as a multifaceted strategic partnership rooted in democratic values and a shared commitment to a rules‑based international order. Officials expect the visit to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and to contribute to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-visit-germany-for-3-days-to-boost-defence-ties-14002100.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-19 14:14:00
