Article Posted on : - May 27, 2015

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen inspects guard of honour at South Block in New delhi on Tuesday. A PTI photo.

New Delhi (PTI): India and Germany on Tuesday decided to deepen their bilateral defence ties, especially in the wake of the 'Make-in-India' initiative.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar held talks with his visiting German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen her late on Tuesday evening.

"The talks focussed on deepening bilateral defence ties.

Germany is an important partner for us when it comes to Make- in-India initiative," defence sources here said.

The German Minister also visited the Army Research and Referral Hospital, the flagship medical unit of the Armed Forces Medical Services here.

She will also visit the Western Naval Command in Mumbai and hold talks with Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Vice Admiral S P Singh Cheema, and tour the Indian Navy ship INS Mumbai.

From Mumbai, on May 28, Leyen will proceed to Singapore where she will participate in the Shangri-La Asia Security Summit.

In October, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit India for the next round of Intergovernmental Consultations chaired by the two government heads.