https://sputniknews.in/20260112/india-counters-german-concerns-over-its-russian-defense-partnerships-10334780.html
India Counters German Concerns Over Its Russian Defense Partnerships
India Counters German Concerns Over Its Russian Defense Partnerships
Sputnik India
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who began his two-day visit to India on Monday, said he wanted closer defence cooperation with Delhi to cut India's dependence on Russian arm supplies. New Delhi has rejected this comparison.
2026-01-12T21:51+0530
2026-01-12T21:51+0530
2026-01-12T21:51+0530
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India's defence sourcing is driven entirely by its "national interest" rather than being ideologically-driven, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told journalists at a press conference in Gandhinagar in the western state of Gujarat after the leadership talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Germany's Chancellor.Misri's remarks on India's defence sourcing policy was made in response to a question citing Merz's comment on India-Russia defence cooperation.The Foreign Secretary said that India's defence sourcing from one country wasn't linked to its imports from another.According to a Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute (SIPRI) report last year, Russia continues to remain India's top arms supplier, accounting for around 36% of Delhi's overall imports between 2020 and 2024. Moreover, around 60-70% of the equipment in Indian armed forces is of Russian-origin. An India-Russia Annual Summit Joint Statement released after President Vladimir Putin's visit to Delhi in December noted that their defence ties were "reorienting presently to joint research and development, co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems" under the Make-in-India programme.On Monday, India and Germany announced 'Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap', which is expected to support the Make-in-India policy."As you are probably aware, there are technical, financial and commercial discussions that are involved in a deal of this kind. These discussions are continuing. All I can say is that the discussions have maintained a positive momentum. But, at this point in time, since these have not concluded, it's difficult for me to say where we are exactly... The discussions are proceeding positively and we hope to see a positive outcome," Misri stated.The Indian diplomat noted that Germany's defence and security policy towards India had undergone a change in recent years, with defence export backlogs almost cleared and the process of exports being expedited.At the joint presser with Merz, Prime Minister Modi said that the two leaders also discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
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India Counters German Concerns Over Its Russian Defense Partnerships
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who began his two-day visit to India on Monday, said he wanted closer defence cooperation with Delhi to cut India's dependence on Russian arm supplies. New Delhi has rejected this comparison.
India's defence sourcing is driven entirely by its "national interest" rather than being ideologically-driven, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told journalists at a press conference in Gandhinagar in the western state of Gujarat after the leadership talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Germany's Chancellor.
Misri's remarks on India's defence sourcing policy was made in response to a question citing Merz's comment on India-Russia defence cooperation.
"Our approach on defence sourcing is driven entirely by our
national interest. There are a lot of factors involved in that. And it is certainly not ideological," explained Misri.
The Foreign Secretary said that India's defence sourcing from one country wasn't linked to its imports from another.
"We have a process in place that sets the requirements that we have at any given time. And we look at where in the world, if we are going to source it from outside, if we are not going to manufacture it domestically, then where can we source it from in the most convenient manner. But I don’t think one is influenced by the other," Misri said.
According to a Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute (SIPRI) report last year, Russia continues to remain India's top arms supplier, accounting for around 36% of Delhi's overall imports between 2020 and 2024. Moreover, around 60-70% of the equipment in Indian armed forces is of Russian-origin. An
India-Russia Annual Summit Joint Statement released after
President Vladimir Putin's visit to Delhi in December noted that their defence ties were "
reorienting presently to joint research and development, co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems" under the
Make-in-India programme.
On Monday, India and Germany announced 'Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap', which is expected to support the Make-in-India policy.
Misri also informed reporters that the India-Germany deal to domestically build India Type-214 submarines hadn't yet been concluded.
"As you are probably aware, there are technical, financial and commercial discussions that are involved in a deal of this kind. These discussions are continuing. All I can say is that the discussions have maintained a positive momentum. But, at this point in time, since these have not concluded, it's difficult for me to say where we are exactly... The discussions are proceeding positively and we hope to see a positive outcome," Misri stated.
The Indian diplomat noted that Germany's defence and security policy towards India had undergone a change in recent years, with defence export backlogs almost cleared and the process of exports being expedited.
At the joint presser with Merz, Prime Minister Modi said that the two leaders also
discussed the conflicts in
Ukraine and
Gaza.
"India has always advocated for the peaceful resolution of all problems and disputes, and supports all efforts being made in this direction," Modi said, reiterating India's stance on the resolution of these conflicts.
