**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Communications announces the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany. Signed during the official visit of the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, on January 12–13, 2026, the JDI aims to boost cooperation in telecommunications and ICTs, driving innovation and digital transformation. It was signed between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS), Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Context:**
* The JDI is a key outcome of engagements between the Prime Minister of India and the Federal Chancellor of Germany.
* It builds upon the strong momentum in India-Germany relations.
* **Areas of Cooperation:**
* The JDI paves the way for collaboration in emerging digital technologies.
* It aims to drive innovation in Telecom and ICT sectors.
* Focus areas include policy and regulatory frameworks, manufacturing, and facilitating ease of doing business in the telecommunications and ICT sectors.
* **Implementation and Engagement:**
* Regular consultations and high-level annual meetings are planned.
* Dedicated working groups and multi-stakeholder engagement will be established, involving government, industry, academia, and research institutions.
* Both sides intend to jointly develop a work plan outlining specific goals and areas of mutual interest.
* **International Cooperation:**
* Both countries will work closely in international fora to promote mutual understanding and advance shared perspectives on telecommunications and digital development.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India (Department of Telecommunications) and Government of Germany (Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation)**
* **Impact:** Increased bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and ICT, leading to innovation and digital transformation, and a requirement for collaboration in creating regulatory frameworks and policies.
* **Action Required:** Participate in regular consultations and high-level annual meetings, contribute to working groups, and collaborate with German counterparts to develop a work plan outlining goals and areas of mutual interest.
**Telecom and ICT Sectors in India and Germany**
* **Impact:** Opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and ease of doing business, resulting in emerging technology adoption and sector growth.
* **Action Required:** Engage in multi-stakeholder engagement opportunities to help ensure structured, outcome-oriented cooperation and to assist in the development of an agreed work plan that incorporates stakeholder priorities and goals.
**Industry, Academia, and Research Institutions in India and Germany**
* **Impact:** Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange in the fields of telecommunications and ICTs.
* **Action Required:** Participate in dedicated working groups and multi-stakeholder engagements.
Key Entities Referenced
Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation: A bilateral agreement between India and Germany to foster collaboration in telecommunications and ICT sectors.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): The Indian governmental entity responsible for telecommunications policy and represented in the Joint Declaration of Intent.
Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS): The German governmental entity responsible for digital transformation and government modernisation, represented in the Joint Declaration of Intent.
Germany: One of the signatory nations involved in the Joint Declaration of Intent.
India: One of the signatory nations involved in the Joint Declaration of Intent.
Ministry of Communications
India and Germany sign a Joint Declaration of
Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation
JDI signed as one of the key outcomes of the engagements
between the Prime Minister of India and the Federal
Chancellor of Germany
Declaration builds upon the strong momentum in India-
Germany relations and sustained high-level engagements
Pact paves way for collaboration in emerging Digital
Technologies
India–Germany Agreement to drive Innovation in Telecom and
ICTs
JDI provides for joint efforts in areas such as policy and
regulatory frameworks, manufacturing, and facilitation of
ease of doing business in the telecommunications and ICT
sectors
Both Sides to work together closely in international fora to
promote common understanding
प्रव तथ: 16 JAN 2026 1:44PM by PIB Delhi
India and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation
during the official visit of Mr. Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to
India from 12–13 January 2026. The Joint Declaration was signed by Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary
(Telecom) on behalf of the Government of India, and Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to
India, on behalf of the Government of Germany.
The JDI was signed as one of the key outcomes of the engagements between the Prime Minister of India
and the Federal Chancellor of Germany. The Declaration was concluded between the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation
and Government Modernisation (BMDS), Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.The Joint Declaration reflects the shared commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation in
the fields of telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), building upon
the strong momentum in India-Germany relations and sustained high-level engagements.
The JDI establishes a framework for regular consultations and high-level annual meetings, supported by
dedicated working groups and multi-stakeholder engagement involving government, industry, academia
and research institutions. These engagements will help ensure structured, outcome-oriented cooperation.
Under the JDI, both sides have agreed to enhance cooperation through regular exchange of information
and best practices, promotion of collaboration in emerging and future technologies, and joint efforts in
areas such as policy and regulatory frameworks, manufacturing, and facilitation of ease of doing business
in the telecommunications and ICT sectors.
Both Sides expressed their intention to jointly develop a work plan, which will outline specific goals and
areas of mutual interest, ensuring alignment with the priorities of both Sides. Both countries have also
expressed their willingness to work closely in relevant international fora to promote mutual understanding
and advance shared perspectives on telecommunications and digital development.
The signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent marks an important step in advancing India-Germany
cooperation in telecommunications and ICTs and supports the shared objective of inclusive and
sustainable digital transformation.
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MI/ARJ
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