Jaishankar urges Germany to ease export control regime to enhance defence cooperation
- In Reports
- 07:59 PM, Sep 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at a gathering of German ambassadors in Berlin, emphasised the need for Germany to update its export control regime to enable stronger defence cooperation with India. He also urged both nations to explore avenues for boosting bilateral trade and investment, highlighting the importance of enhancing economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
During his visit to Germany as part of a three-nation tour, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stressed the importance of deepening cooperation in key sectors such as innovation and technology, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, fintech, and green technologies. He emphasised the need for close consultations between India and Germany on global issues, aimed at fostering trust and confidence in their growing partnership.
Jaishankar arrived in Germany after attending the inaugural meeting between the foreign ministers of India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following his discussions with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and other senior officials, he is set to continue his tour with a visit to Switzerland.
In his address at the annual ambassadors’ conference hosted by the German foreign ministry, Jaishankar called for strengthened defence cooperation, particularly in light of the growing involvement of India’s private sector in the defence industry.
“It will require export controls updating as well. We welcome the recent air exercises between India and Germany and await the impending ship visits to Goa,” he said.
Germany, known for having some of Europe’s strictest controls on defence exports, has recently eased these regulations to permit the sale of small arms to the Indian military and to compete for a significant submarine contract for the Indian Navy. This shift aligns with a broader overhaul of Germany’s defence policy.
Jaishankar highlighted India’s position as a nearly $4 trillion economy with projected growth of 8% in the coming decades. He emphasised that the ongoing transformations within the country, along with an improved business environment, should serve as strong incentives for increased trade and investment from Germany.
“Our trade, currently at $33 billion, and mutual investment levels can surely do better,” he said.
Jaishankar underscored the significance of the upcoming Asia Pacific Conference of German Business in New Delhi, scheduled for October, which will coincide with the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (ICG). The ICG, chaired by the Indian Prime Minister and the German Chancellor, convenes every two years and, will “provide directions at a very crucial time on key issues”, he said.
Jaishankar called for technology to play a more prominent role in India-Germany relations, he said, “We need to think digital, AI, fintech and clean-green technologies.” He also highlighted the progress made under the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, with both countries having signed 38 agreements valued at 3.2 billion euros.
Jaishankar also called for close and continuous consultations on global issues to “build the levels of trust and confidence which behoves our partnership”.
He highlighted that the number of Indian students in Germany has increased significantly, doubling to 43,000 over the past five years and said, “But the flow of talent could be very much higher, constituting the kind of living bridge that we have with the US. This could be supplemented by understandings on skills mobility.”
He stated that foreign policy is crucial for India’s growth and infrastructure development, as access to global technology, resources, and best practices can significantly impact progress. “When India engages Germany and the European Union (EU), this is a key consideration. For partners like you, it could mean both expanding markets and reliable supply chains,” he added.
Given factors such as interdependence and the limitations of national capabilities, India and Germany must develop a partnership grounded in mutual confidence and shared objectives. “And that is why we believe Germany too should take greater interest in the Indo-Pacific, just as we in India seek to do in the Euro-Atlantic,” he said.
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