German Officer to Join Indian Ocean Information Fusion Centre Ahead of Merz Visit
India and Germany deepen military cooperation with new liaison posting.
India has agreed to host a German liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), marking a significant advancement in bilateral military relations between the two nations. Official sources confirmed that the decision has been finalised, with documentation in advanced stages and the officer expected to join the centre before June 2026.
The announcement gains added importance ahead of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to India on January 12–13, 2026, following his assumption of office eight months ago. The posting will further strengthen collaboration at the IFC-IOR, which was established in December 2018 and has since become a vital hub for maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, hosting liaison officers from 15 countries and partnering with 57 maritime security constructs and 25 nations.
India and Germany have steadily expanded defence cooperation in recent years, including joint training exchanges and maritime Passage Exercises (PASSEXs) between their navies. The Indian Navy continues to operate four Shishumar-class diesel-electric submarines built with German technology transfer, underscoring the long-standing technical partnership. In August 2024, Germany participated for the first time in a multinational aerial exercise on Indian soil during the Indian Air Force’s inaugural Tarang Shakti 24, where Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft conducted air manoeuvres.
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A key milestone in the growing ties occurred during the June 2023 bilateral meeting in New Delhi between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The four-day discussions reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and laid the groundwork for deeper strategic engagement. Sources indicate that both countries are actively exploring ways to further intensify military collaboration across multiple domains.
The deployment of the German liaison officer at the IFC-IOR is expected to enhance real-time information sharing, improve maritime domain awareness, and contribute to collective security efforts in the Indian Ocean Region. This move reflects the increasing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Berlin amid evolving regional and global security dynamics.
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