German Defence Minister meets Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI - German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, here on Wednesday.

After the interaction, Guttenberg said: “It was a very warm reception. I am more than happy that it was a very precise, but at the same time, a very intense discussion about broader global subjects. We also spoke about the relationship between Germany and India, which is of utmost importance for both sides and which is based on partnership and friendship.”

Speaking about further cooperation between the two countries in the fields of aerospace, defence and civil aviation, Guttenberg said: “I think it’s a cooperation that is first and foremost based on a firm and a fundamental ground, which is also expandable.”

Enumerating the opportunities available to India and Germany at the United Nations Security Council, Guttenberg said: “India does a lot under the umbrella of the United Nations. We do a lot as well, and we are both members of the Security Council for the next two years. That gives us lots of chances to bring in new initiatives together.”

Before arriving in Delhi, Guttenberg visited Aero India 2011 in Bangalore. Twenty one German aerospace companies are exhibiting at the show.riven by an impressive engineering and innovation spirit and flanked by successful cooperation with universities and major research institutions, Germany’s aerospace industry boosts a track record of technological competencies and industrial skills that is renowned all over the world.

Looking at an evolving role for Germany in the region, even after the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by 2014, Guttenberg said: “Looking at the region means looking at the security of the whole region, and looking at the security of the whole region means looking at the security situation of the world. So, we need to take responsibility even after the year 2014 as part of the international community.”

India and Germany share a strategic partnership in the field of defence. In 2006, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for the establishment of three bilateral working groups. The first group focuses on strategic and policy matters on military issues.he second group deals with military cooperation between the armed forces of both countries and the third group covers defence technology and defence business cooperation, as well as the exchange of information on armament and procurement projects and on defence research and development technology. (ANI)