EAM meets German counterpart, focus on Ukraine, Indo-pacific
External affairs minister S Jaishankar and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, on Monday held wide-ranging talks over various global issues, such as the Ukraine conflict, and discussed ways to ramp up bilateral cooperation in areas of energy, trade and climate crisis.
The two sides discussed the Indo-pacific region, developments in Afghanistan and crossborder terrorism emanating from Pakistan, and also signed an agreement for a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership.
Baerbock arrived in the national capital for a two-day visit on Monday, four days after India formally took over the presidency of the G20 grouping.
Addressing a joint press conference with Baerbock, Jaishankar reiterated India’s position on the ongoing Ukrainerussia conflict. “India’s position is clearly articulated by the Prime Minister who says that today is not an era of war but of diplomacy and dialogue. It is not for India to specify or advocate, that is not our intention. It is something that the parties involved would decide.”
The two sides also held “fairly extensive discussions” on Afghanistan and Pakistan. A lot of it was on Afghanistan, about our respective assessment of how the situation there is, he said. He asserted that India cannot have talks with Pakistan till it continues supporting crossborder terrorism.
“The main challenge today is that we cannot have talks while there is terrorism, and I think there was an understanding from Germany’s side regarding this,” he said.
Baerbock, who also addressed the media, assured more diversification in the Indopacific region. “China is seen as a partner in global challenges... We will have more diversification in the Indo-pacific area. There is huge potential for German companies which will be focusing on Japan and India,” she said.