India, Germany discuss lifting farm sanctions, fighting terror
Explore ways to counter threat posed by Islamic State militant group
NEW DELHI: Certain fl i ghts between India and Germany will have armed marshals on board, according to an MoU signed Monday by the two sides with an aim of preventing any hijacking attempt.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), along with another pact on security cooperation, was signed before the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and exchanged during media interaction of the two leaders.
The MoU on “carriage of inflight security officers within a short time fame” was signed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and his German counterpart Gunter Krings. Rijiju and Krings discussed the threat posed by ISIS terrorist group and ways to cooperate to counter it.
Rijiju also drew attention of Krings about the presence and activities of individuals and organisations that are linked to extremist and terrorist elements operating in India, particularly the Sikh extremists.
“Such extremists elements based in Germany often utilize their places of religious worship to support extremist organisations in India by propaganda and financing. The flag of Khalistan and photographs of terrorists bearing weapons are openly displayed in many Sikh religious places in Germany to incite hatred and anger,” the Indian Minister told Krings.
The annual report of the Protection of Constitution published in June 2015 has made specific reference to ‘Extremist Sikhs’ in the list of extremist organisations of foreigners in Germany.
Rijiju said Germany is an important power house and trade partner and signing of the pact will ensure that extremist forces are kept in bay. INDIA SEEKS GERMANY SUPPORT TO LIFT EU IMPORT BAN ON VEGGIES
Meanwhile, Modi and Merkel also discussed ways to move forward the stalled negotiations on the India-EU free trade agreement. India sought Germany’s support for lifting the ban imposed by EU on import of four vegetables, including brinjal and bitter gourd, from the country.
The EU had in May last year banned the import of Alphonso mangoes and four vegetables from India.