The MEA said the talks focused on boosting bilateral ties in areas ranging across political cooperation, security and defense, economic relations, research, climate and energy, and education.
New Delhi: India would like to see its negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement move to a "decisive conclusion" soon, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.
Jaishankar made the remarks at a joint media briefing after holding wide-ranging talks with the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul.
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The external affairs minister said the talks focused on boosting bilateral ties in areas of political cooperation, security and defense, economic relations, research and future collaboration, climate and energy, education, skilling, mobility, and people-to-people exchanges.
Referring to the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, the MEA said, “We greatly value the understanding Germany has shown regarding India’s fight against terrorism,” recollecting how the parliamentary delegation that visited Germany in June after Operation Sindoor was received warmly.
Jaishankar said defense and security cooperation ties have been strengthened after Germany took part in the Tarang Shakti air exercise last year and its ships made port calls to Goa. He called for expansion of defense ties between both countries.
Expressing how India had faced port control difficulties in the past in the defense and security domain, the MEA placed on record his appreciation for the smoothening of these processes and more expeditious clearances.
“We appreciate Germany's aim to double trade with India,” he said. The external affairs minister also appreciated Germany for addressing export control issues.
Jaishankar also welcomed Germany's interests for cooperation with India in the semiconductor sector, underlining how it had emerged as a promising area, welcoming more investments in that sector and adding how Indian talent could make a significant contribution to Germany’s own expanding capabilities.
The external affairs minister said Wadephul told him that Germany will put its full weight behind the India-EU FTA.
Referring to the green and sustainable development partnership, Jaishankar said that India and Germany are looking at cooperation in the green hydrogen and biofuels sector as well,.
“We have just marked 50 years of scientific collaboration with Germany. Intensifying that and linking that to industry is the task we have set for ourselves,” he added.
Referring to Wangphul’s visit to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru, the MEA emphasised how space cooperation between the two nations needs to be aggressively explored.
India's relationship with Germany is enormously important and it is growing significantly, he noted.
(with PTI inputs)
Published: 03 Sept 2025, 03:55 pm IST
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