German defence minister on two-day visit to India

India and Germany will discuss regional and international security and defence issues during the two-day visit of German defence minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg to the country beginning tomorrow.

Guttenberg is reaching Bangalore tomorrow where he is scheduled to visit the Aero India airshow and hold talks with defence minister AK Antony on a range of issues.

"The talks between the two ministers on the sidelines of the show will focus on regional and international security and defence issues," a German embassy statement said.

The visiting minister is leading a high-profile 40-member delegation which is expected to explore ways to enhance bilateral relations.

A total of 17 German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) member companies will be present at the German pavilion at Aero India, which is dubbed as Asia's premier air show.

Guttenberg is also scheduled to meet Chief of Air Staff PV Naik and Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) VK Saraswat.

India and Germany share a strategic partnership in the field of defence.

In 2006, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for the establishment of three bilateral working groups focussing on strategic and policy matters on military issues, military cooperation between the armed forces and defence technology and defence business cooperation.