Berlin/New Delhi: The Ukraine conflict found prominent mention in the deliberations between India and Germany Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising India’s position that no party would emerge winner and that India is for peace, even as the two sides inked nine agreements, including one on green energy partnership.
Prime Minister Modi, in his remarks at the conclusion of the sixth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, said that the Ukraine conflict has led to rise in oil prices, and to shortages of food and fertiliser which is affecting the developing and poorer countries in a major way.
PM Modi also said that India is committed to concluding the Free Trade Agreement with the EU.
“Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, we have stressed on cessation of hostilities and for diplomacy and dialogue to end the conflict. We believe that there will be no winner in the conflict, and everybody will be hurt, and that is why we are on the side of peace,” the PM said.
He said the Ukraine conflict has led to rise in oil prices, and led to shortages of food and fertiliser, which is affecting the world, especially the developing and poorer countries. “India is worried about the humanitarian impact of the Ukraine conflict on the world,” he said, and added that New Delhi is providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
He also said that India is trying to help other countries affected by the conflict with food, and to help them with fuel and finance.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his remarks, said he has invited India as guest to join the upcoming G7.
Germany is holding the presidency of the G7 grouping.He said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has violated the international order and violated the fundamental principles of international law. He reiterated his country’s appeal to Russian President Putin to “end the senseless killing”.
Chancellor Scholz said Germany and India need to coordinate on climate change, and announced that Germany will make available funds to the tune of 10 bn euros to India to deal with it.
“Our Ministers agreed in the fields of agriculture, forest restoration, in renewable energy, solar energy, green hydrogen. I am happy that we have set up a task force on green hydrogen,” the Chancellor said.
He also said that Germany will increase its participation in the Indo Pacific, and that it views India as a very important member of the Indo-Pacific. PM Modi, in his remarks, said the mechanism of India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations shows how much importance the two sides place on their strategic ties.He said the Covid situation and its fallout and the recent geopolitical situation shows how delicate the situation is in the world.
PM Modi said the IGC has given new direction to the bilateral ties between India and Germany, especially in the field of energy and environment. “I am hopeful it will have a positive impact on the future of the region and world,” he said. He said the two sides have signed an agreement for partnership in green energy.
“Green and sustainable growth is an article of faith for us. We thank Germany and Chancellor Scholz for announcing 10 billion euros for supporting India in green growth. We have announced the setting up of a green hydrogen task force,” he added. He said India has signed FTAs with the UAE and Australia and is committed to concluding the FTA with the EU.
In a tweet, the PM said: “The 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations were productive. Chancellor Scholz and I , along with Ministers, officials from Germany and India discussed ways to boost cooperation in areas like sustainable development, mobility, economic growth and more,” tagging the German Chancellor.
The two sides inked nine agreements, including one on Green Partnership. At the leaders’ level, PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz inked the agreement on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership.
The other agreements inked were on implementation of Triangular Development Cooperation projects in Third Countries; On establishment of an agreement on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information and on the establishment of an agreement to establish a direct encrypted connection between MEA and the German Foreign Office; An Indo-German Development Cooperation regarding Renewable Energy Partnership; Agreement on a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership; Agreement on continuation of cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate executives and junior executives from India; Agreement on setting up an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force; Agreement on Agroecology and Agreement on Forest Landscape Restoration.
Participating ministers and officials from both sides presented brief reports on their meetings on the different tracks of the IGC: Foreign Affairs and Security. Economic, Financial Policy, Scientific and Social Exchange. Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and Energy.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman; External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; MoS (IC) for Science &Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh; and Secretary DPIIT Anurag Jain, made presentations from the Indian side.
Later, the two leaders interacted with top executives from German and Indian business houses, to discuss ways to further the vigour and vitality of the Indo-German economic and commercial partnership.
