Rajnath Singh hails Indian diaspora as ‘Living Bridge’ in Berlin

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described the Indian diaspora in Germany as a “living bridge” strengthening ties between the two nations, as he engaged with community members during his three-day visit to the country.Addressing a gathering at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, Singh lauded the nearly 300,000-strong Indian community for its contributions across sectors including business, technology, healthcare, academia, and the arts. He emphasised that the diaspora plays a pivotal role in deepening economic and cultural engagement between India and Germany.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacted with the Indian community in Berlin on Day-1 of his 3-day visit to Germany on April 21, 2026. He praised the nearly 300,000-strong Indian diaspora, describing them as the strongest bridge between the two countries, with contributions… pic.twitter.com/1QHIhWAX9b

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2026

Calling the interaction a “special moment,” Singh said the Indian diaspora has evolved into a strong force and remains a vital link in advancing bilateral relations. He encouraged community members to continue fostering closer ties while staying connected to their cultural roots.
Highlighting India’s rising global stature under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Defence Minister said India’s voice is gaining greater prominence on international platforms. He urged the diaspora to actively project India’s perspective on global issues and contribute to strengthening partnerships abroad.Singh also underlined India’s rapid progress across infrastructure, startups, space, and digital innovation, presenting the country as a dynamic and emerging global economic force. He reiterated that the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not limited to domestic procurement but serves as an invitation for global partners, including Germany, to co-create and co-innovate in defence manufacturing.
Earlier, addressing the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security, Singh stressed the need for deeper collaboration between the defence ecosystems of both nations. He highlighted complementarities between Germany’s industrial strengths, including its renowned Mittelstand enterprises, and India’s growing startup and private sector capabilities.Pointing to evolving global security challenges, Singh called for coordinated responses and trusted strategic partnerships. He noted that India and Germany share a convergence of views under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with growing momentum at the European Union level to enhance engagement with India.
The Defence Minister also marked 2026 as a significant milestone, noting 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany built on mutual trust, shared democratic values, and respect.Singh, who is on a visit from April 21 to 23, received a ceremonial welcome in Berlin, including military honours and an escorted flight by German fighter jets from Munich, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.