Raju for joint defence ventures with Germany

New Delhi, July 14: Minister of State for Defence M Pallam Raju today called for enhancing Indo-German defence cooperation to move from equipment acquisition to technology transfers or joint ventures.

''The present defence cooperation between India and Germany has largely been dominated by equipment acquisition,'' he said at the Indo-German Colloquium on 'Responsibilities in the International Relations and Opportunities of the Bilateral Cooperation' in Stuttgart, Germany.

''As such, there is a need to move towards joint development ventures or technology transfers through which we can achieve long term self-reliance...,'' he added, according to a press release received here.

Mr Raju, who is on a week-long visit to Germany, said India had strong research and technological skills which when combined with superior German manufacturing capabilities could be a winning combination in this arena of defence cooperation.

He said India had interest in German EW systems, radars, electro-optic devices and recovery vehicles.

He also stressed the need for India and Germany jointly promoting a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, and called for the expansion of the Security Council.

''Today's political realities, including the unvarying support and participation in the UN and its programme by countries such as Germany and India, must be reflected in a reformed UN, including an expanded Security Council,'' he said.

On economic ties, he said that despite substantial growth in overall trade between the two countries, India's exports to Germany were at a low level compared to other nations.

''Indian exports to Germany often face constraints due to denial of market access and high standards, regulations maintained by Germany as well as the EU.'' These regulations, he said, took the form of non-tariff barriers and restricted trade between the two countries.

''There is, therefore, an urgent need to resolve such issues first so that the existing potential could be exploited to its full extent through enhanced trade in goods, services, investment and other areas of economic cooperation.'' Germany has declared year 2006 as 'India Year'.

As part of his engagements, Mr Raju will attend an Indian Film Festival at Stuttgart as the Guest of Honour.

UNI