Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday reviewed the strategic partnership between the two nations and the fallout of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict with both the leaders warning “no one will be the victorious party” in this war.
Reiterating that talks are the only way to solve the crisis in Ukraine, Modi, who held bilateral meetings with Scholz in Berlin, said, “Recent geopolitical incidents have shown that world peace and stability is in critical condition and showed how all countries are interconnected. We had said that talks are the only way to solve the Ukraine crisis. We believe that no one will be the victorious party in this war.”
Modi further said, “I am happy that my first foreign visit of 2022 is happening in Germany. And my first telephonic conversation with any foreign leader happened with my friend Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Holding of the IGC (Inter Governmental Consultations) shows how much importance we place in our strategic ties."
The two leaders held bilateral talks and later took part in the sixth round of Biennial IGC between India and Germany. It is a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany. The high-profile IGC also saw participation of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval.
The German Chancellor said through its attack on Ukraine, Russia has violated fundamental principles of international law. “The war and the brutal attacks against civilian population in Ukraine show how unrestrained Russia has been in violating the fundamental principles of the UN Charter,” he said.
“Thus, I repeat my appeal to Vladimir Putin — end this senseless killing, withdraw your troops from Ukraine,” he said.
On relations with India, he said it is among Germany’s important partners here. “The world can only develop well if we are clear as to the fact that future relations in the world will be characterised and marked by many countries, not by a few powerful countries," the German Chancellor said.
He also said India is a "super" partner for Germany in Asia in economic terms, security policy terms, and climate-political terms. The German Chancellor also invited Modi to attend the G-7 summit there in June as a special invitee.
The summit is likely to focus on Ukraine and various steps taken, including sanctions against Russia. The G-7 grouping includes the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and France.
Meanwhile, the one-on-one talks between the two leaders was followed by delegation-level parleys which covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.
The two nations also reviewed the situation in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region where China is now flexing its muscle. Modi and Scholz signed the green and sustainable energy partnership.
The Prime Minister said Germany has decided to support the green growth plan of India with an additional development aid of 10 billion euros till 2030. "We have announced setting up a green hydrogen task force," Modi said.
Giving details of the ICG, the Ministry of External Affairs said Modi co-chaired with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz the Plenary session of India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations. In their opening remarks, both leaders highlighted key aspects of bilateral relationship as well as shared perspectives on regional and global issues.
This Partnership envisages a whole-of-government approach to India-Germany cooperation on climate action, under which Germany has agreed to make an advance commitment of 10 billion Euros of new and additional development assistance until 2030, the ministry said.
A joint Statement was adopted after the IGC and a number of agreements were concluded during the ministerial bilateral meetings, the ministry said.
Before leaving for Berlin, Modi on Sunday had said "I see this IGC as an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term.
He also said his three-nation visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices. He also said he intends to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with European partners. The visit comes in the backdrop of ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and several nations in Europe are now against Russia.
This is Modi's fifth visit to Germany after becoming Prime Minister. He had earlier visited the European country in April 2018, July 2017, May 2017 and April 2015. Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe with a bilateral trade of over USD 21 billion.
The current visit comes at a time when the Ukraine conflict has led to serious differences between several nations. India, so far, has refrained from criticizing Russia for its military action and also abstained from voting against Russia in the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at least 11 times since the conflict began in late February.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday and the two leaders reviewed the bilateral cooperation and discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific.
Jaishankar also met Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze and discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third country partnerships and economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Earlier, on his arrival in Berlin, Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and received by Chancellor Scholz at the Federal Chancellery. The two leaders thereafter met in one-on-one format followed by delegation level talks. Incidentally, this was the first summit between Modi and Scholz since he assumed office in December last year.
It is Modi's first visit overseas this year. He will travel to Denmark and France after his engagements in Berlin. In Copenhagen, he will hold bilateral talks with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen and also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit. He will also meet President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Paris.