Prime Minister Narendra Modi attached importance to the strategic partnership between India and Germany. He termed it as a “strong anchor” during these times of global tension and uncertainty.
During the 7th Inter-Governmental Consultations, PM Modi gave word that the relations between the two nations are rather not “transactional” but “transformational.” He zeroed in on the key areas: defense, technology, and sustainable development.
“The world is going through serious tensions and conflicts, especially in the Indo-Pacific Region, where the rule of law and freedom of navigation are being threatened,” PM Modi said. He further dwelled on how the partnership between India and Germany stood out as strong support in this testing time.
PM Modi appreciated Germany’s “Focus on India Strategy.” He said that he was glad to grow their engagement from a “Whole of Government” to a “Whole of Nation strategy.” “This is your third visit to India, and it coincides with my third tenure’s first IGC. This is the triple celebration of our friendship,” he said.
He noted that since the last IGC, held in Berlin back in 2022, most areas have seen significant advances. Now, greater defense cooperation, technology collaboration, and sustainable development demonstrate mutual trust.
IGC is a bi-annual meeting of ministers involving both countries. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweeted on X: “PM @narendramodi and German Chancellor @OlafScholz led the 7th Inter-Governmental Consultations today. The two leaders reviewed progress in defense, security, technology, and green development apart from launching new initiatives in AI, semiconductors and clean energy”.
This approach was duly welcomed by PM Modi, who spoke highly of Germany’s educational and mobility cooperation with India. After he met with Chancellor Scholz at his residence, PM Modi tweeted, “Glad to discuss various issues that will strengthen the India-Germany friendship. Our nations share a strong history of developmental cooperation.”
PM Modi, along with Chancellor Scholz, inaugurated the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024. Addressing the conference, PM Modi raised the bar with his expectations for a productive partnership. “When India’s dynamism meets Germany’s precision, it creates a better future for the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific.”
He listed four pillars for growth in India: democracy, demography, demand, and data. He identified AI as being part of “Aspirational India.”
Chancellor Scholz also urged the need to work together to settle global conflicts. Calling for solutions based on international law and principles of the UN. He warned that if Russia succeeded in invading Ukraine, that would affect global security and prosperity.
This would be the third visit of Chancellor Scholz to India since he took over in 2021.
ANI
