During a press conference with her Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar on Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Germany does not view India as a substitute for China but as a partner in values.
“India has always been a partner for Germany, and a partner for the European Union (EU) as well. This partnership, however, is something that we want to deepen further and that that we want to expand further,” she remarked. She noted that “when we have deep economic ties with partners who are not partners in values, this has economic repercussions, dramatic repercussion for our economies and this is not in our economic interest,” referring to Germany’s dependency on Russia, especially with regards to energy.
Baerbock, who is on a two-day maiden visit, said that #Germany and #India remain “natural partners” and that the relationship is of “friendship” which is not the case with #China. pic.twitter.com/OnfHbWDaOG
— Seher Mirza (@SeherMirzaK) December 6, 2022
In a sharp rebuke of Moscow, Baerbock emphasised, “We have seen what it means when you become strongly dependent on one country, a country that does not share your values.”
Baerbock also spoke about Germany’s tripartite approach to China “that is enshrined in our coalition treaty.” However, she noted that currently, “China is seen as a partner in global challenges, a competitor, and increasingly as a systemic rival as well.” Therefore, she pointed out that “exchange with actors from the region is very important to us, especially India as a direct neighbour” in order to assess future challenges.
The German foreign minister also admitted that “until now, we’ve been focusing very much on China, but there are also ties with India and Japan, but not so many with many other neighbouring countries,” acknowledging that “there is huge potential for further cooperation both in terms of economic ties, but also when it comes to the security situation in Germany” with India.
Da sind die globalen Auswirkungen von Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine. Und da ist die #Klimakrise. Die G20 verantworten nicht nur 80% der Emissionen, sondern auch einen Großteil der Klimaschäden. Wir stehen bei diesen schwierigen Aufgaben fest an Indiens Seite. 3/3
— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) December 5, 2022
Baerbock’s three-day visit to India is her first trip to the country as foreign minister. Prior to her visit, she mentioned that India will soon overtake China as the world’s most populous country by next year, and commended the fact that New Delhi has successfully lifted over 400 million people, equivalent to EU’s population, out of “extreme poverty” over the last 15 years.
“This shows that a pluralistic society, freedom and democracy are drivers of economic development, peace and stability. We face the task of remaining engaged in these efforts and at the same time working to promote human rights,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar asserted that India will continue to increase its trade with Russia, currently at $13 billion, stressing that discussions to expand economic cooperation have been ongoing since before the Ukraine war.
“I don’t think people should read anything more into it other than the legitimate expectations of any trading country to increase its trade,” he emphasised.
He revealed that India has also given Russia a list of products “which we believe we are very competitive in and which we feel should be getting access to the Russian market.”
“We will see where there is a demand and supply and where there is a fit. I think largely a large part of it would be determined by market because in our country, business is mostly in private sector hands,” he remarked.
Meeting today underlined our mutual interest in taking the relationship to a higher level.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 5, 2022
We will be addressing a press conference shortly:https://t.co/PBvhdodTHq
The Indian External Affairs Ministers also held a detailed discussion about India’s relationship with Pakistan, including the challenge of cross-border terrorism, with Baerbock. “We cannot have talks [with Pakistan] while there is terrorism and I think that was understanding from the German side, in this regard,” he underlined.
This comes against the backdrop of Baerbock’s meeting with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in June, wherein she called on India and Pakistan to respect the human rights of Kashmiris and adopt a “constructive approach” toward resolving the decades-long Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
In October, Pakistan rejected India’s pushback against a joint proposal by Bhutto Zardari and Baerbock for a United Nations-led (UN) initiative to resolve the Kashmir dispute, saying “India’s proclivity to hoist the bogey of cross-border terrorism whenever there is a call for increased scrutiny of its unlawful occupation and brutality in Jammu and Kashmir is well known.”
Its riposte came after Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi released a statement saying the joint statement made in Berlin ignored Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism. The bitter exchange between India and Pakistan comes in response to a statement made by Baerbock after her meeting with Bhutto Zardari, wherein she said that Germany has a role and responsibility in the Kashmir conflict and extended support for intensive engagement through the UN to peacefully resolve the dispute.
She also encouraged both India and Pakistan to participate in meaningful “political dialogue,” declare a “ceasefire,” and follow the “track of the UN,” noting that “political practical cooperation” is critical to ensuring regional security with respect to resolving the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
Agreeing with Baerbock’s statement, Bhutto said regional security is contingent on resolving the Kashmir dispute, comparing it to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
India has long maintained that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral issue and firmly rejected calls for international intervention, referring to the 1972 Simla Agreement. However, Pakistan argues that India must respect a 1948 UNSC resolution that calls for a referendum in the region.
Packed & productive - a super exciting Day 1 of Minister @ABaerbock draws to a close.
— Dr Philipp Ackermann (@AmbAckermann) December 5, 2022
Great talks with @DrSJaishankar, an enriching visit to Sis Ganj Gurudwara followed by shopping with Shashi Bansal in Chandni Chowk and using Paytm to pay! pic.twitter.com/dMk9ZPAx4R
Meanwhile, Jaishankar and Baerbock also signed a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership agreement as part of efforts “to create a network of agreements with prospective labour market destination countries with twin objectives of creating of favourable visa regime for Indians towards accessing the labour market of these countries.”
It has specific provisions to facilitate mobility and employment opportunities to foster the exchange of skills and talents, including an Academic Evaluation Center in New Delhi, 18-month-long extended residence permits to students, 3,000 Job Seeker Visas annually, liberalised short-stay multiple entry visas, and streamlined readmission procedures.
According to the Indian press release, the “Indian side also highlighted the difficulties faced by Indian citizens in getting visa appointments and the need for enhanced visa processing capacity, given that Germany has emerged as a destination of choice for Indian students, professionals, and researchers.”