New Delhi, 16 January (H.S.): India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on telecommunications cooperation on Friday, marking a pivotal outcome from high-level engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The agreement, inked during the Chancellor's official visit from January 12 to 13, strengthens bilateral ties in telecom and information-communication technologies (ICTs).

Amit Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signed on behalf of the Government of India, while Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India, represented the Federal Republic of Germany. Concluded between India's DoT and Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS), the JDI builds on robust India-Germany momentum and sustained leadership interactions.

The declaration commits both nations to structured collaboration through annual high-level meetings, regular consultations, dedicated working groups, and multi-stakeholder involvement from government, industry, academia, and research bodies. It promotes exchanges of information and best practices, fostering innovation in emerging technologies like policy frameworks, regulatory alignment, manufacturing, and business facilitation in telecom and ICT sectors.

Both sides pledged to co-develop a detailed work plan outlining shared goals and priorities, ensuring synergy with national agendas. They also vowed closer coordination in international forums to harmonize views on telecom evolution and digital progress, advancing inclusive, sustainable digital transformation.

This pact positions India and Germany to lead in resilient digital ecosystems, supporting global innovation while addressing key challenges in connectivity and technology governance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar