New Delhi: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful, who visited India amid discomfort with the US over the issue of 50 percent tariff, said that for Germany, Asia means India. At the same time, for India, Germany and in a way the European Union are the same. During this, Foreign Minister Jaishankar has expressed hope that Germany will play an active role in reaching a result of the EU-India FTA and speeding up the negotiations regarding it. Jaishankar said that India is looking towards Germany to further deepen its relations with the European Union and also to speed up the negotiations on the FTA, he also said that the German Foreign Minister has assured him about this.
In the joint press conference, both the foreign ministers spoke on many important issues. In this meeting, both the leaders agreed to increase cooperation on trade, technology, education, mobility semiconductors, defense and global issues. Regarding relations with Germany in view of the current situation in the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that bilateral talks with India on economic matters have been going on for many years. India hopes that the next round of EU-India FTA talks should be held soon. We want this deal to reach a conclusion in the coming days, it will help in stabilizing the global economy. Describing the relationship with Germany as central in the European context, Jaishankar said that in the environment of economic instability, it is very important that the relationship between India and Germany be stronger and closer. He also mentioned the commitment to change in the UN and UNSC.
India and Germany are partners
Wadeful said that India and Germany are in the same team. It is true that both countries have political positions and priorities. But as far as democratic values and regulatory measures are concerned, both countries and both markets pay a lot of attention to some details. We have underlined that many times we make it easier for other countries to engage. Both need more homework. Referring to his student life and non-alignment, he said that during that time he came to know about India's non-alignment. However, Germany, being a part of the Western Bloc, was in a cold war relationship with Russia. He said that even in the present time, there is a conflict between Russia and the West. However, talking in detail about India-Germany relations, he said that there is a certainty and credibility in bilateral relations.
The government also raised the issue of baby Ariha Shah
In bilateral talks, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he has also raised the issue of Ariha Shah with the German Foreign Minister. Jaishankar said that it is necessary to resolve the issue of Ariha, who is currently in foster care in Germany. It is Ariha's right to grow up in her own cultural Indian environment. In fact, in the year 2021, the German administration had kept 7-month-old Ariha in a foster home away from her parents. When she was taken to the hospital after an accidental injury. Since then the girl has been living in a foster home.
Positive on India-China relations, China challenge in Indo-Pacific
Wadeful said that Germany's attitude towards normalization of India-China relations is positive. Both countries can shape their relations as they want. He said that if both the countries want to improve their relations, then we welcome it. However, he also said that it is a responsibility to defend the international based order. He described China as a partner in many cases and a rival in many. He said that China is a systematic rival of Germany in the field of economic and business. He said that they have to protect their market from China. Along with this, he said that China is very aggressive in the Indo-Pacific.
Sanctions have been imposed to stop Russia
Regarding the tariffs imposed by US President Trump, the German minister said that Germany is following the policy of the West regarding this conflict, which mentions that Russia and Ukraine should adopt the path of peace talks. But despite the efforts of the US President, Russia is not ready to sit on the negotiating table. However, the President of Ukraine has shown readiness for such talks. In such a situation, the German approach is that we will do everything we can to bring Putin to the negotiating table, this also includes sanctions imposed on Russia by Europe. We have imposed sanctions, not tariffs. So that Russia does not get funding. But we are also seeing that countries do not face problems for their energy supply, we want to make it difficult for Russia to continue warfare.
NBT Lens
Recently, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said in the ET Summit that India's experience has taught it not to depend on any one country for supply chain and economic cooperation. In such a situation, amidst the ongoing confusion about trade deal and tariff with America, India's hopes are pinned on FTA with EU. Germany is India's biggest trading partner within the EU. In such a situation, the closeness between the two countries is natural.
