New Delhi: In a major effort to boost ties during the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, India and Germany signed a total of 18 agreements and MoUs, including a deal to fast-track approvals for German companies in India, a one-billion-plus euro solar power fund by Germany, and a joint declaration of intent between India’s HRD ministry and the German foreign office on the teaching of German as an additional foreign language in Kendriya Vidyalayas in India and the teaching of Modern Indian Languages in Germany, including Sanskrit, that is seen as a resolution of the German-versus-Sanskrit language row that erupted last year between the two countries. India thanked the “new German commitment of 1.490 billion euro”, with both countries “expressing satisfaction at the successful implementation of the Green Energy Corridors project, that has been expanded by 400 million euros”.
The two countries also signed a pact for deployment of sky marshals on board certain flights between the two countries to strengthen anti-hijacking measures. Despite the absence of Germany’s defence minister in its delegation, who couldn’t come to India due to a “prior commitment”, the two countries also discussed defence cooperation, which is believed to have included a global tender that India proposes to float for acquisition and building of six more conventional submarines. The two countries also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, and the menace of terrorism, during which India’s stand that Pakistan is a key sponsor of terrorism is learnt to have figured. The two also discussed the “freedom of navigation in international waters”, including the South China Sea, in an apparent reference to growing Chinese assertiveness.
A joint statement by the two countries also underlined the commitment towards “protection of human rights and democratic values”, something which raised eyebrows but Indian government sources said these were only issues no two genuine democracies can disagree on. India is also understood to have strongly raised with Germany the issue of restrictions on the movement of Indian pharmaceutical products, essentially 700 drugs, within Europe.
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The Prime Minister also thanked Ms Merkel and the German people for returning a 10th century Durga statue in her Mahishasurmardini avatar that was stolen earlier from Jammu and Kashmir. The idol was handed over to Mr Modi by Ms Merkel after the joint press statement.
Co-chairing the third summit-level inter-governmental consultations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ms Merkel agreed to enhance ties in key areas of defence, security, intelligence, railways, trade and investment, clean energy, besides deciding to work closely to combat the threat of terrorism. An MoU was also signed on security cooperation by the two sides.
The joint statement read: “Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for Germany’s assistance in developmental projects over the years, including the new German commitment of 1.490 billion euros. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the successful implementation of the ‘Green Energy Corridors’ Project, which has been expanded by 400 million euros. Both sides agreed to improve access to clean energy in rural locations. In this context, India welcomed Germany’s readiness to assist in meeting its renewable energy target under the umbrella of the solar partnership, with 1 billion euros over the next five years.”
“I place great value on Germany’s assistance of over one billion euros for India’s Green Energy Corridor and a new assistance package of over a billion euros for solar projects in India,” PM Modi said at a joint media event with Ms Merkel after their three-hour-long talks, both at the delegation level and one-on-one format.
“Prime Minister Modi and Federal Chancellor Merkel welcomed the agreement on teaching of the German language as an additional foreign language in Kendriya Vidyalayas in conformity with the National Education Policy of India as well as the facilitation of teaching of modern Indian languages in German educational institutions,” the joint statement read.
“We see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of India’s economic transformation. German strengths and India’s priorities are aligned... Our focus tends to be on economic ties. But I believe that in a world of seamless challenges and opportunities, India and Germany can also be strong partners in advancing a more human, peaceful, just and sustainable future for the world,” Mr Modi said. “German engineering and Indian IT skills can create the next generation industry that will be more efficient, economical and environment friendly,” he added.
The deal on fast-track approvals process for German firms envisages single-point clearance for various projects that is aimed at encouraging more German companies to complement Mr Modi’s “Make in India” initiative and invest significantly. The PM noted the partnership will grow in areas like “defence manufacturing, trade in advanced technology, intelligence, and countering terrorism and radicalism. These are important security dimensions of our expanding relationship”. Both leaders discussed ways to move forward the stalled negotiations on the India-EU free trade agreement.
The joint statement said Germany welcomed India’s intensified engagement with various export control regimes like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement. Both sides agreed to continue to work together for India’s accession to the regimes as a full member and “thereby strengthen global non-proliferation efforts”.
The German side welcomed Mr Modi’s commitment to improve the ease of doing business in India and the Indian decision to set up a Fast Track System for German companies in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), which would be fully operationalised by March 2016.
“1,600 German companies in India, and growing in number, will be strong partners in creating a global work force in India,” Mr Modi said, adding German cooperation and assistance in areas like smart cities, clean Ganga and waste management projects have taken a concrete shape.
In her comments, Ms Merkel expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the talks and complimented Mr Modi for the “speed” in which he is pushing various initiatives. She also listed various initiatives by the two nations, including in defence, security, trade and investment, solar energy.
The two leaders condemned terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations. They also called for a political solution in Syria to successfully fight terrorism and end the violence there, emphasising the importance of national reconciliation and unity in Iraq.
The pacts signed between the two sides will provide for cooperation in food safety, new and renewable energy, science and technology, skill development and vocational education, manufacturing, civil aviation, disaster management and agriculture.
A joint statement of intent was signed between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) on cooperation in food safety.
