NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday held talks and co-chaired the seventh Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) here to strengthen bilateral ties in fields ranging from defence and security to trade, clean energy, after which the two nations signed eight pacts in the presence of the two leaders.
These included a mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters that will “bolster joint efforts to combat terrorism and separatist elements”, an agreement on the exchange of classified data, a green hydrogen roadmap, one on innovation and technology, and a joint declaration on employment and labour.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that both governments are discussing a proposed logistics support agreement for enhancing military cooperation which is under negotiation and will “hopefully be concluded in the near future”. He also said Germany was “interested” in India’s plans to acquire more submarines. In all, he said 18 pacts were signed between the two sides, including eight in the presence of both leaders.
India has also offered Germany maintenance and overhaul facilities at Indian shipyards for German naval ships plying in the Indian Ocean region.
Both leaders also participated earlier in the day in the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, during which Modi announced that “Germany has decided to increase the number of visas for skilled Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 per year”, thereby strengthening the people-to-people connect.
Pitching for more German investment in India, the Prime Minister said: “Our bilateral trade has surpassed $30 billion. Today, while hundreds of German companies operate in India, Indian companies are also rapidly expanding in Germany. India is becoming a prime centre of diversification and de-risking and is emerging as a hub of global trade and manufacturing. Given this, now is the most opportune time for you to make in India, and make for the world.”
The Prime Minister told German businessmen: “This is the right time to join India’s growth story. When India’s dynamism meets Germany’s precision, when Germany’s engineering meets India’s innovation, a brighter future is envisioned for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.”
In his opening remarks at the IGC, Modi, in a veiled reference to increased Chinese military assertiveness in the region, said “there are also serious concerns about the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region” and that “in such times, the strategic partnership between India and Germany has emerged as a strong anchor”.
Noting the “world is going through a period of tension, conflict, and uncertainty”, Modi, in a reference to Indo-German ties, said: “This is not a transactional relationship; this is a transformational partnership between two capable and strong democracies -- a partnership that is contributing to building a stable, secure, and sustainable future for the global community and humanity”.
In his remarks, the German Chancellor slammed “Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine” and sought “India’s support for a just and lasting peace” as well as protection of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The Chancellor said he “strongly favoured” a free trade pact between India and the European Union, which has not yet borne fruit despite negotiations between the two sides.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri, at a special media briefing in the evening, said both nations had agreed on a pilot project for millets in the African nations of Madagascar and Ethiopia. He said the migration and mobility pact between the two nations would benefit Indian skilled professionals and students.
Misri further said there were about 2.5 lakh Indians residing in Germany, including 50,000 students. An agreement was also signed between IIT Madras and Dresden University to allow students “to take advantage of a dual degree programme”.
Speaking earlier at the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business being held in India after a gap of 12 years, Modi said: “On one hand, a CEO forum meeting is taking place, and on the other, our navies are exercising together. German naval ships are currently on a port call in Goa… The friendship between India and Germany is deepening at every step, on every front. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany strategic partnership. The next 25 years will see this partnership reach new heights.”
