• Scholz visits delhi
    International Relations

    German Chancellor Scholz visits India to boost partnership

    European Newsdesk Posted on

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are co-chairing the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany in New Delhi on Friday.

    Scholz met Modi at the Indian Prime Minister’s official residence Friday morning. “In this world, we need friends and allies—just like India and Germany,” Scholz posted on X, underscoring the importance of the partnership. He arrived late Thursday with senior cabinet ministers for these high-level talks, an ongoing framework between the two nations since 2011. This marks Scholz’s third visit to India as Chancellor since taking office in 2021. In 2023, he visited India twice: in February for a state visit and in September for the G20 Summit.

    During their Friday engagements, Scholz and Modi inaugurated the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) in New Delhi. “Our message is clear: we need more cooperation, not less,” Scholz said at the conference, which coincides with the consultations. German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck is co-chairing the APK.

    Following the talks, Scholz is set to visit Goa, where German naval frigate Baden-Württemberg and combat support ship Frankfurt am Main will make a port call as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment, announced the Indian foreign ministry. India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai welcomed Scholz, with the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal writing on X, “Herzlich willkommen in Neu Delhi! (Welcome to New Delhi),” accompanied by photos of the Chancellor’s ceremonial arrival.

    “This visit of a German frigate to India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia underlines our commitment to open seas and international law,” Scholz noted. The two-day IGC will involve ministers from both countries holding discussions across various sectors and reporting outcomes to Scholz and Modi. These talks come at a critical time, as Germany seeks to strengthen its strategic partnership with India. Last week, Germany released its “Focus on India” paper, signaling intentions to deepen ties.

    Experts highlight the consultations as transformative, shifting from an economic focus to a strategic alliance. “Germany is now looking to play a larger role in the Indo-Pacific and forge forward-looking partnerships with countries like India,” said Harsh V. Pant, vice president at New Delhi’s Observer Research Foundation.

    The agenda is expected to prioritize economic cooperation, climate initiatives, security, and leveraging India’s young workforce. Scholz emphasized that Germany aims to expand defense cooperation, proposing closer military ties. German defense firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is in the running for a six-submarine deal with the Indian Navy, competing with Spain’s Navantia.

    Scholz also advocated for accelerating EU-India free trade talks, which began in 2007. “With joint effort, Prime Minister, we could reach an agreement in months rather than years,” Scholz said, addressing Modi.

    “This is the 25th year of the India-Germany strategic partnership, and the next 25 years will take it to new heights,” Modi affirmed. “From business meetings to naval exercises, India and Germany’s friendship is deepening at every step.”

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