Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Narendra Modi on six-day, four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France, reached Berlin on Monday. He was hosted by the German Chancellor Merkel and was optimistic about Indo-German partnership after the meeting.

During an interview with a German Newspaper ‘Handelsblatt’, Modi said, “Europe has been hit hard by terrorism”. He urged Europe to play the leading role by developing an effective global response with the help of UNO, to defeat terrorism. He described terrorism as the gravest challenge faced by humanity today. Modi’s appeal to Europe comes as result of the recent terrorist attack in a concert in Manchester, where a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 22 people and other terrorist attacks in European countries like Germany, France, the UK and Sweden recently.

While talking about the protectionist and anti-immigrant sentiments, Modi asked Europe to ensure that the global economy remains open for international trade and free flow of investment and people. He stressed that movement of goods, capital and people across borders is essential for the collective progress and benefits of globalisation. He further added that India is the ‘most open’ and the fastest growing economy in the world and focused on importance of India to Germany.

During the interview, Modi also mentioned about the long seeking expansion of the security council of UN and to make India as the permanent member, as it has all the credentials required in an expanded security council. He also spoke about European Union, and the emerging Britain’s exit, stating that EU’s stability has a significant bearing on global developments, including peace and security. He further added that India is committed to further strengthen its ties with both the strategic partners, European Union as well as United Kingdom.

Concluding the interview, Narendra modi described his visit to Germany as a “new chapter” in the bilateral relations between India and Germany.

German Chancellor Merkel in her statement to ‘Handelsblatt said that Germany sees possibility of a partnership with India and China that will help promote free trade.