India a natural partner: German defence minister

Calling India a "natural partner", visiting German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said her country wanted a close dialogue with India to tackle trans-national terrorism, maritime security and cyber threats.

Giving a special address organised by think tank Observer Research Foundation, Leyen also said tackling cyber threats emerged majorly in her talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

"I would say India and Germany are natural partners... Germany and India are facing similar challenges of trans national terrorism," Leyen said.

"We depend on stable international order for economic prosperity... We want close dialogue with India as a partner," she said.

The minister said both nations have "open societies" and face threat from extremists.

On her discussions with Modi, whom she met on Wednesday morning, the minster said cyber security was a major issue discussed.

"Whenever IT is discussed in Germany, India comes up.... Both India and Germany are open societies, and vulnerable to cyber attacks," said Leyen.

She said during her talks with Modi, they felt there is a need to "create defence and resilience" against cyber attacks by terror groups.

The minister also said that Germany, which is coming up with a white paper on its security, will discuss cyber threats in a seminar later this year, and they will invite experts from India.

"If we look at the Indian ocean region, 40 percent of world population lives here, and 50 percent of international trade is done through the region. So there is humongous interest of all nations to have an open sea... We have to be very sensitive, and sensible about any attempt to dominate of close trade routes," said the minister.

"A majority of nations are interested in keeping the region free," she said.

Asked if Germany is looking ahead to play a role in 'Make in India' initiative of India, the minister said Germany can collaborate on manufacturing of submarines, an issue which is understood to have come up for discussion during her meeting with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar here last evening.

"You don't want only to buy but you want a close cooperation by manufacturing and producing parts in India too, which I think is a very smart approach for both sides as close cooperation between strategic partners should never be a one way cooperation or collaboration," she said.