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Chancellor Merkel:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy to welcome the
Prime Minister of India, Mr. Singh, today here among us
in Germany and especially in Hannover. This year India
is the partner country at two important Trade Fairs in
Germany, first at the industry trade fair in Hannover
and then at the Book Fair in Autumn in Frankfurt.
I believe that this is a symbol for the fact that we
have, in recent years realized – something we had not
always realized – that cooperation between India and
Germany is extremely important, that we should cooperate
with each other in a mutual partnership and in a mutual
win-win-situation. We have already begun it well and
will continue this in future.
We, the two of us, have discussed precisely these points
in our first meeting, based on the fact that we have an
intensive cooperation, a strategic partnership and a
common agenda. We want to expand this agenda of
cooperation, in particular, by cooperation in the energy
sector. We, in the European Union, and also in other
parts of the world, have realized that the question of
energy supply is one of the most important strategic
issues, not only in internal politics, but also in
foreign policy. I, therefore, am very happy that the
Indian side has also expressed the urgent wish for
intensive bilateral cooperation in all areas of energy
policy, to cooperate with each other in all areas of
energy policy intensively.
We will, in addition, strengthen our cooperation in the
field of science. I think, everyone knows that the
intensity of this cooperation is already very high
today, and also that we can, in this process, learn from
each other. A scientific meeting between the European
Union and India will take place next year, after Germany
takes over the EU Presidency. Germany will use this
opportunity to intensively promote this cooperation.
We have discussed a number of issues relating to
international politics and agree that it is especially
important to take internationally coordinated action
when there are conflicts, for example, like the Iranian
one. I have welcomed very much that India has, at the
voting in the IAEA, made clear that all countries –
including Iran – should fulfill the commitments made
We have spoken also about other conflicts. We will
continue these talks today at the dinner, especially
about the need for engaging in intensive cultural
dialogue. This is a theme, in which India is a natural
partner, because India is a country in which many
cultures co-exist peacefully and Germany can learn a lot
from this.
We have, of course, spoken also about the nuclear deal,
signed between the USA and India and I have, on my part,
made it clear that we will now observe the process of
ratification in the United States and that we will then
see how the process of discussion in the so-called
Nuclear Suppliers Group progresses. We are interested in
it, and also in the non-proliferation remaining an
important point in the international policy on the whole
– assurances have been given by the Indian side in this
regard. This is an important commitment for us, and I
believe, therefore, that if the process makes progress
in the manner it has now been initiated in the United
States as well as in the NSG, we could also intensify
our cooperation in the sector of civilian nuclear
cooperation. This is a process that has not been
concluded yet; but I consider the commitments and
statements of the Indian Prime Minister that India feels
committed to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons
are very important statements, which will certainly take
this dialogue forward.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh:
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to H.E.
Chancellor Merkel and the German government for the warm
welcome and hospitality extended to me and my
delegation.
India and Germany enjoy excellent bilateral relations
and are actively working to strengthen our Strategic
Partnership. My visit here reflects our continued
interest and commitment to work with Germany under
Chancellor Merkel in order to further broaden and deepen
our understanding on various bilateral and international
issues.
As the Chancellor has mentioned, we had very useful
discussion about our bilateral relations. We also
exchanged views about regional issues and the current
international situation. I do believe that these have
helped us reach a better understanding of each other’s
position on all these issues.
Germany is one of our biggest trading partners and has
made large investments in India. Many of our Indian
companies are also expanding their business presence in
Germany. The rapid growth of the Indian economy offers
significant opportunities to both sides to transform our
economic ties.
The Hannover Trade Fair with India as the partner
country and the Indo-German Business Summit, which will
be held tomorrow will provide a further momentum to our
economic cooperation, especially in the manufacturing
and infrastructure sectors.
In the energy sector, we welcome the setting up of the
high level Indo-German Energy Forum with participation
of both governments, as well as public and private
sectors. The Forum will enable the two countries to
focus on practical cooperation in the fields of energy
efficiency, clean coal technology and renewable energy.
India and Germany have long-standing cooperation in the
field of science & technology. We have agreed to work
actively toward setting up a jointly funded Indo-German
Science Centre in Delhi.
India and Germany share a common perspective on
terrorism. India has been a victim of terrorism for many
years now. We appreciate Germany’s understanding of our
position and look forward to continued cooperation on
counter-terrorism.
Our two countries also have a common vision of a
cooperative, rule-based multipolar world order. During
our discussions, we reiterated our mutual determination
to continue efforts within the framework of the G-4 for
the reform and expansion of the UN Security Council
without which the overall reform of the United Nations
will remain incomplete.
I have invited Chancellor Merkel to visit India next
year for continuing the tradition of annual summit
meetings. I look forward to working with her to provide
further impetus to our strategic partnership.
Question:
I have a question to the Prime Minister on Nepal. What
is your assessment of the developments there, and what
can India do in order to pacify the situation there?
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh: Nepal is a
very close neighbor and the developments in Nepal are
naturally a cause of great concern. We have been very
concerned about the developments leading to the
abolition of the democratic multi-party system in Nepal,
and I believe that it is an absolutely essential
element. This has also led to the current crisis. In
several talks with the King, we have stressed the need
for restoration of democracy. I also believe that the
political parties have held a discussion among them and
are developing a plan to cooperate with each other in
order to take forward this process.
Question (Mr. N. Ram, The Hindu): Mrs.
Chancellor, two economists as the heads of the two
governments - is it a challenge?
Chancellor Merkel: I am a physicist and no
economist. Nevertheless I believe that we are here in
Hannover today and it is not without reason that India
is the partner country at the biggest industry fair.
This shows that India is an important trade partner and
cooperation partner for us Germans, and that India is a
country with increasing economic potential that is seen
and recognized by us. Germany, with its specific
capabilities - they lie, for example, in engineering, in
hi-tech, laser technology, nanotechnology – is seeking
to be a good, reliable and recognized partner of such a
developing country. This is the reason why we speak of a
strategic partnership in a comprehensive sense.
We respect and appreciate the scientific and technical
progress in India. On the other side, we must do
everything so that the growth rate improves also in
Germany through adequate reforms. When we see the growth
rate of India, it would be good if we could also come
somewhere near half of this growth rate. We have to do a
lot for this.
Question: Mrs. Merkel, you have spoken about
energy. About which energy forms are you talking? Do you
want to make the country less dependent on Russia?
Chancellor Merkel: Which country? Germany?
Question:
Of course Germany. You said that you wanted a greater
cooperation with India.
Chancellor Merkel: India is a net importer of
resources. India must, therefore, expand its own base of
resources. Now we were not talking about building
pipelines between India and Germany. But it is a
question of our exchanges in connection with energy
efficiency, various forms of energy supply. I believe,
energy efficiency concerns the question how the raw
material, for example, coal, natural gas or even
renewable energy, including our know-how for the safety
of nuclear power plants, can be used as efficiently as
possible. It raises also the question how we can
cooperate with India, which itself has to secure the
energy basis for its own high growth rate. I believe
that Germany, with its very high diversity in its energy
mix, has always been an example showing that one should
not become dependent on one type of energy production,
but, on the contrary, develop all possibilities. And
precisely this is the purpose of our energy dialogue and
cooperation. And this is a new qualitative step in our
cooperation, which we had not taken till now. That is
why this high-ranking group of experts will meet for the
first time tomorrow at the sidelines of the Hannover
Trade Fair, an immediate practical step.
Question (Ms. Arati Jerath, DNA):
Mrs. Chancellor, when our Prime Minister travels to
Berlin tomorrow, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan will
also be in Berlin to hold meetings with your Foreign
Minister. We have come to know today that he will speak
about the nuclear agreement. What will be your response
to it?
Chancellor Merkel: I can only tell you that we
have discussed today the positive developments in the
relations between India and Pakistan. I would like to
use this opportunity to thank the Indian Prime Minister
very much for his efforts in the last two years improve
the security situation in this region. I wish a lucky
hand for the Indo-Pakistan negotiations on all
requirements and possibilities to intensify the
relations, and express our support for it.
To this extent, I believe that we discuss all problems
between Germany and India and Germany and Pakistan
respectively in the same way. We do not talk differently
with our partners, but we use the same language. To this
extent, once again a hearty thanks to India for its
efforts for more peace and security in the region.
Question (Sabine Muscat, Financial Times Germany):
I have a question to both of you with two parts.
Mrs. Chancellor, you said earlier that you will once
again stress the importance of non-proliferation in the
NSG-consultations. In which form do you want to do it?
What exactly do you expect of India, before Germany
could also supply civil nuclear technology?
Mr. Prime Minister Singh, how far are you prepared to go
for India to come closer to NPT and the CTBT?
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh: I would like
to say that India is not a signatory state of the NPT
and the CTBT. But we have established our own controls,
compatible with the NPT guidelines and also the NSG
guidelines. These are being adhered to in our national
legislation.
Chancellor Merkel:
I had already said: we will first watch the process and
debate in the USA. Both the Senate and the Congress have
to approve this agreement. Then we will take a look at
it in the NSG. It was very important for us in Germany
that El Baradei also considers this agreement as clear
progress. Then we will take a look at what the Prime
Minister said, once again, and take a decision in the
group as a whole. At any rate Germany will take what the
Indian side has very specifically stated very seriously,
and view it as a clear commitment. But it is still an
ongoing process and we will, thereafter form an opinion
also in the international community about it. At any
rate I have the general impression that we are on a
successful or a positive path, which is being followed
by the Indian side by making more commitments than was
the case earlier. If we still have questions and
problems, we will turn to India and discuss them with
India directly in a very friendly manner.
Question (George Abraham, Deepika):
Mrs. Chancellor, will you react positively to the demand
for a liberalization of the grant of visas?
Chancellor Merkel: We did not discuss this in
detail today. But the better our relations are the
simpler will also the grant of visas will become. This
was not a subject of our talks. I have also not heard
any complaint. If there are complaints, one could speak
about it once again.
Thank you.
Note: The transcript of the German
language remarks is as interpreted simultaneous during
the Press Conference |
