NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held bilateral talks with the visiting German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock in New Delhi. Both the Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the renewed momentum in bilateral relations, which entered a new phase this year with the launch of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership during the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) in Berlin. 

While taking stock of the various elements of the bilateral relationship, the Ministers emphasized their shared commitment to deepening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership with a view to make it robust and responsive to the opportunities and challenges of our times. They agreed on deeper cooperation on counterterrorism and exploring further collaboration on defence. They noted the steady progress on the various outcomes of the 6th IGC and acknowledged the positive movement in triangular development cooperation, with three pilot projects in Cameroon, Ghana and Malawi, and one project in Peru in different stages of implementation. They also looked forward to coordinating efforts to address challenges in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Dr. S. Jaishankar and Baerbock also welcomed the resumption of negotiations on the India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement, Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications. As India’s largest trade partner in the EU, the Indian side expressed its expectation of Germany’s continued support in the timely conclusion of negotiations.

They also signed the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) and welcomed it as a significant mechanism to further enhance our people-to-people ties. 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.

Dr. Jaishankar and Baerbock discussed several regional, global and multilateral issues including the current situation in Europe; India’s neighbourhood; India’s ongoing UNSC Presidency; and India’s G20 Presidency. The Indian side welcomed Germany’s enhanced engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, with the release of its Indo-Pacific Guidelines in 2020 and the deployment of the German naval frigate ‘Bayern’ to the Indo-Pacific region, which made a port call in Mumbai in January 2022. India also welcomed Germany joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).