External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday thanked his German counterpart for "explicitly" defending India's right to defend itself in the face of terror attacks and expressed gratitude to the European country for supporting India's fight against terrorism.
In a joint media briefing with German foreign minister Johann Wadephul, who is on a visit to New Delhi, Jaishankar noted that Germany welcomed India's parliamentary delegation in June following Operation Sindoor.
"We greatly value the understanding that Germany has shown with regard to India's fight against terrorism. German foreign minister johann Wadephul has himself been explicit about our right to defend our people against terrorist attacks. A parliamentary delegation that visited Germany in June after Operation Sindoor was also warmly received," he said.
Jaishankar said there's been an uptick in the defence and security cooperation between India and Germany, recalling that the European country participated in the Tarang Shakti air exercises last year while its ships made port calls to Goa.
"Today, we agreed that such participation should be continued, indeed even expanded," he added,
Germany had strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025, which killed 26 civilians.
Wadephul had expressed Germany’s deepest sympathy for the victims and their families and condemned the attack in the strongest terms. It also reaffirmed its strong support and solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism and acknowledged India's right to defend itself against such attacks.
Speaking to reporters, the German foreign minister praised India for the "innovative powerhouse and technology centre" it has become.
He said that as a rising economic powerhouse and the most populous country and biggest democracy in the world, India has a special importance in a world region that is of strategic importance.
"Our economies, in particular, have a lot to gain if we are to further expand our cooperation. I was in Bengaluru yesterday, and I saw for myself what an innovative powerhouse and technology centre India has become," he said.
He also noted that bilateral trade between the countries last year almost reached 50 billion euros.
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