Modi says India can be peacemaker in Ukraine

During the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz here on Saturday, both nations decided to ramp up ties in the security and defence sectors, strengthen the partnership in clean energy, boost trade ties and accelerate efforts to conclude an India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA). The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Modi said: "India has insisted on resolving this dispute (Ukraine conflict) through dialogue and diplomacy", adding that "India is ready to contribute to any peace process" to resolve it.

In his remarks, the German Chancellor condemned Russia and described the Ukraine conflict as a "catastrophe".  He said that conflict has caused "immense losses and destruction" and that all countries should "state very clearly in the United Nations on where they stand" on the conflict, a remark being seen by some in the context of India abstaining in the past year at the UN on all resolutions critical of Russia.

Asked about the Chancellor's remark, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that both nations had a deep understanding of each other’s positions and that both nations had taken principled positions at the UN based on their interests. He said there were discussions between the two leaders on how India and Germany can take steps to "strengthen the constituency of peace" and also on how the Ukraine conflict had impacted the developing world.

At Hyderabad House in the national capital, the German Chancellor spoke about India’s G-20 presidency "at a difficult point" in the world but expressed confidence that India "would fully comply with what needs to be done".

He said the FTA between two countries should be "speedily concluded" and that he would "personally make sure that the talks do not drag on".

Scholz  also spoke about how the two countries will fight climate change together through boosting renewable energy such as solar energy, bio-mass and green hydrogen while developing this on a global scale. The German Chancellor also praised the Migration and Mobility Pact inked a few months ago between the two nations.

Scholz will visit Bengaluru on Sunday, when he will conclude his two-day official visit.

The two nations also agreed on the "India-Germany vision to enhance cooperation in innovation and technology" and inked a "letter of intent between the Department of Science & Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems for cooperation in green hydrogen and clean energy technologies".

In his remarks, the PM said: "The effects of the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have been felt across the whole world. These have had a particularly negative impact on developing countries. We expressed our shared concern about this. We agree that these problems can only be solved through joint efforts. Even during India's presidency of the G-20, we are stressing on this. We have also agreed that reform of multilateral institutions is necessary to better reflect global realities. This is evident from our active participation within the G4 to reform the UN Security Council."

Mr Modi added: "Security and defence cooperation can become an important pillar of our strategic partnership. Together, we will continue to make efforts to fully realize our untapped potential in this area. In the fight against terrorism and separatism, there is an active cooperation between India and Germany. Both the countries also agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism."

The Prime Minister further said, "The strong ties that India and Germany share are based on shared democratic values and a deep understanding of each other's interests. The two countries also share a long history of cultural and economic exchanges between them. The increasing cooperation between the two largest democratic economies in the world is not only beneficial for the people of both the countries, but also sends a positive message in today's tension-ridden world."

On trade ties, the PM added: "Along with being our largest trading partner in Europe, Germany is also an important source of investment in India. Today, due to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, new opportunities are opening up in all sectors in India. The interest shown by Germany in these opportunities is very encouraging for us. The business delegation that came today with Chancellor Scholz and Indian business leaders had a successful meeting, and some good and important agreements were also signed."

"According to the requirements of the changing times, we are also adding new and modern aspects to our relations," Mr. Modi added.

"Last year during my visit to Germany, we announced the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Through this, we are expanding cooperation in the areas of climate action and Sustainable Development Goals. We have also decided to work together in areas like renewable energy, green hydrogen, and biofuels.

“India and Germany are increasing mutual cooperation under the Triangular Development Cooperation for the development of third countries. In the last few years, the People-to-people relations between us have also strengthened. And this relationship will be further deepened with the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed in December last year," the PM added.