German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on a high-level visit to India, stressed the importance of political solutions to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, warning that unresolved tensions could undermine global economic stability.
Scholz, on a three-day trip leading a high-level delegation of ministers and business leaders, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
He also addressed a conference attended by German firms and companies from across the Indo-Pacific.
“If Russia succeeds in its brutal, illegal war against Ukraine, the repercussions will extend far beyond Europe’s borders, endangering global security and prosperity,” Scholz said at the opening of the 18th Asia-Pacific German Business Conference (APK 2024), a networking event drawing political and business leaders from Germany and the region.
“The Middle East remains a constant source of tension and a reminder of the human cost of division and the world’s struggle to reach political solutions,” Scholz added, urging all parties to pursue political resolutions to these conflicts.
He noted that resolving both conflicts was not only “an ethical and political obligation” but also “imperative” to safeguarding prosperity and bolstering cooperation in trade and economic affairs.
Modi voiced concern over the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, affirming that “war cannot solve any problem.”
“We also agree that global forums created in the 20th century are not capable of addressing challenges of the 21st century. Reforms are needed in multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council,” Modi said, adding that India and Germany would continue “active cooperation in this direction.”
Scholz pointed to India’s role as a vital economic partner, citing it as the world’s fifth-largest economy and one of the fastest-growing. He stressed the need to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement between the European Union and India and other Indo-Pacific nations.
Scholz also highlighted Germany’s interest in attracting skilled Indian workers, noting that the number of qualified Indian employees in Germany grew by more than 23,000 last year. He underscored Germany’s intention to deepen defense cooperation with New Delhi.
In response, Modi acknowledged Germany’s confidence in India’s skilled workforce and emphasized the Indo-Pacific region’s importance for the global future.
The two sides signed several key agreements on defense, information technology, clean energy, skill development, and artificial intelligence.
“Growing cooperation in the defense and security sectors reflects our deep mutual trust. The agreement on the exchange of classified information is a new step in this direction,” Modi said.
He said a legal assistance treaty signed between the two countries would “further bolster our joint efforts to combat terrorism and separatist elements.”
Scholz praised India’s potential as an economic partner for Germany, advocating the expansion of bilateral trade and reiterating the benefits of a stalled free trade agreement between the European Union and India.
He also lauded “India’s willingness to leverage its good ties” and contribute to a political solution to the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. India, while refraining from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has consistently called for a diplomatic resolution, positioning itself as a potential mediator.
Scholz’s visit is part of the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations between the two countries, during which ministers report the results of their negotiations to their respective heads of government.
The visit will conclude on Saturday in the coastal state of Goa, where the German naval frigate “Baden-Wuerttemberg” and combat support ship “Frankfurt am Main” will make a scheduled stop as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment.
This marks Scholz’s third visit to New Delhi in the past two years, following a state visit in February and attendance at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September.
Source: Agencia EFE
