India and Germany on Friday decided to intensify bilateral and multilateral co-operation to fight terrorism and extremism after wide-ranging talks between visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.
He also said the two countries vowed to build New India by 2022 and expertise of technological, economic powerhouses like Germany will be useful for it. The Chancellor is here on a two-day visit.
After the two leaders co-chaired the fifth Inter-Governmental Consultations(IGC), the two countries signed five joint declarations of intent and inked 11 pacts in fields such as space, civil aviation, maritime technology, medicine and education.
Reiterating the commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism, Modi said after the meeting “we have resolved to intensify bilateral and multilateral cooperation to deal with terrorism and extremism.” He also said India and Germany will continue cooperation to expedite reforms in United Nations Security Council(UNSC).
The two leaders also called on nations to ensure that their territory is not used for terror activities against other countries, in a veiled message to Pakistan. However, the situation in Kashmir did not come during discussions between Modi and Merkel, sources said.
The Modi-Merkel meeting comes amidst concerns expressed by some foreign lawmakers, including from the US, over restrictions imposed by the Government post abrogation of Article 370 to withdraw Jammu & Kashmir’s special status in August.
A joint statement, issued after Modi and Merkel talks, emphasised on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation and called for a stronger international partnership in combating the “global scourge”.
Underlining the need for all countries to ensure that their territory is not used for terror activities against other countries, the two leaders stressed the importance of the combined effort of all countries to fight global terrorism.
As regards propelling India on the path of growth and development, the Prime Minister said in his press statement the two countries “have vowed to build ‘new India’ by 2022 and expertise of technological, economic powerhouses like Germany will be useful for it.”
Moreover, in an effort to fast forward the concept of building modern cities and address the issue of preserving environment, Modi also said “We have decided to tap cooperation possibilities in e-mobility, smart cities, cleaning of rivers and environmental protection.”
Expressing concern over the inadequate global level of climate action currently, the leaders called on all countries to step up their efforts. “Germany and India stress the need to undertake climate actions based on the principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances and agree to work towards further developing their respective NDCs as agreed in Paris,” the statement said.
With the present ruling NDA dispensation determined to make India a leading nation in manufacturing frontline weapon systems thereby giving a massive boost to the local industry, Modi said India has invited Germany to take advantage of opportunities in defence production in the defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Merkel said agreements signed between Germany and India prove that ties are marching ahead in the areas of new and advanced technology. Areas of 5G and artificial intelligence are a challenge and it is important to work on them together, she said.
Giving details of the agreements, the external affairs ministry later said 17 pacts were signed in the fields of agriculture, maritime technology, ayurveda and yoga among others. Five joint declarations of intent were also exchanged between India and Germany, the Ministry said in a statement. The joint declarations of intent included cooperation on strategic projects, partnership for green urban mobility, research and development on artificial intelligence and cooperation in the field of prevention of marine litter, it said.
Agreements were also signed to promote, establish and expand scientific and technological research cooperation, academic collaboration in ayurveda, yoga and meditation, the statement said. A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed in the field of occupational diseases, rehabilitation and vocational training of insured persons and workers with disabilities, it said. Another pact was signed for cooperation in inland, coastal and maritime technology, it added.
Other agreements signed between the two countries include collaboration in agricultural technical and professional training, cooperation between the National Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Indian Museum,Kolkata, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Stiftung Humboldt Forum in Berliner Schloss and between All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V (DFB), the statement said.
The former world champions in football, Germany is likely to send highly trained coaches to India to train budding talent.