External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday underlined India’s close ties with Germany and said he looked forward to holding in-depth discussions with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the various dimensions of bilateral cooperation.
He expressed confidence that the two nations’ history of multilateral cooperation would be advanced further through their talks.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar highlighted the milestones of the India-Germany partnership and stressed that Berlin’s support was important in strengthening India’s engagement with the European Union and expediting Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
“As you noted before your departure from Germany, we are marking 25 years of strategic partnership, 50 years of scientific cooperation, almost 60 years of cultural agreements and, as you saw in Bangalore, more than a century of business interactions,” Jaishankar said.
He added that he was pleased Wadephul had the opportunity to visit Bengaluru and witness the potential of cooperation in technology, as well as bring with him a strong business delegation and members of parliament.
“Today I look forward to an in-depth discussion on the various dimensions of our bilateral cooperation. By doing so, we would also be preparing for a fruitful intergovernmental consultation later. It will certainly be insightful for us to hear from you Germany’s perspectives on key global and regional issues. We count on your support to deepen our relationship with the European Union and expedite the FTA negotiations. India and Germany have a strong history of multilateral cooperation which I’m confident will be advanced further through our talks today,” Jaishankar said.
Welcoming Wadephul on his first visit to India as Foreign Minister, Jaishankar noted that the meeting comes just a few months after his own visit to Berlin in May.
“That this is happening just a few months after my own visit to Berlin, I think, is a statement in itself. We also are aware that this is one of your early visits outside Europe and we appreciate your coming to India very much,” he added.
On Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Wadephul to India, expressing confidence that his engagements in Bengaluru and Delhi would further strengthen the strategic partnership.
“Herzlich Willkommen to India! FM Johann Wadephul of Germany has arrived in New Delhi. His engagements in Bengaluru and Delhi will further strengthen the multifaceted India-Germany Strategic Partnership as we mark 25 years of its completion,” Jaiswal posted on X.
Ahead of his trip, Wadephul described India as a “key partner” in the Indo-Pacific and called the relationship close on political, economic, and cultural fronts. He wrote on X, “India is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific. Our relations are close — politically, economically, culturally. The expansion of our strategic partnership has much potential: from security cooperation to innovation and technology to recruiting skilled workers.”
Also Read : Singapore PM Lawrence Wong arrives in India on 3-day visit
“India’s voice, that of the world’s most populous country and largest democracy, is also heard beyond the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. That is why I am travelling today for talks to Bangalore and New-Delhi,” he added.
Wadephul stressed that India plays a decisive role in shaping the international order and called India and Germany “natural partners.”
“India plays a decisive role in shaping the international order of our century. We as democracies are natural partners in this. In view of massive geopolitical challenges, we want and must preserve the rules-based international order together,” Wadephul said.
Follow us
