Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Germany on the first leg of his visit to three European nations on Monday and met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He will travel to Denmark and France next. The visit comes amid the Ukraine crisis, which has united much of Europe against Russia. After the meet with Scholz, Modi said that among democratic nations, India and Germany share several common values and the holding of the Inter Governmental Consultations shows how much importance the two countries place in their strategic ties. Talking about the crisis in Ukraine, he said, "No country can emerge victorious in Ukraine conflict. We are for peace, appeal to end the war." During his trip to Europe, Modi will head to Denmark and meet Danish PM Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen — and also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit with the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway on Tuesday. On the way back on Wednesday, Modi will make a brief stopover in Paris for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. His first foreign trip this year comes at a time when a war in the heart of Europe has upended seven decades of global order. On Sunday, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that PM Modi will "exchange perspectives" on the "Ukraine issue" and strengthen bilateral partnerships during his three-day, three-nation visit to Europe. Modi's foreign visit includes about two dozen engagements across approximately 65 hours, official sources said. He will hold meetings, bilateral as well as multilateral, with world leaders from seven countries besides interacting with about 50 global business leaders. Modi on Monday met Scholz here and exchanged views on strategic, regional and global developments. Addressing a joint press conference after meeting Scholz, and Modi spoke on Russia-Ukraine war saying no country can emerge victorious in the Ukraine conflict. Modi said, "recent geopolitical incidents have shown that world peace & stability is in critical condition and showed how all countries are interconnected. We had said that talks are the only way to solve the Ukraine crisis. We believe that no one will be victorious party in this war." Both the leaders co-chaired the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Launched in 2011, IGC is a unique biennial mechanism that allows the two governments to coordinate on a wide spectrum of bilateral issues. India and Germany decided to set up green hydrogen taskforce and cooperation among other areas of interest. India said it is committed to quick progress in free trade agreement negotiations with European Union. "Today we are launching the Indo-German partnership on Green and sustainable development. Germany has decided to support the green growth plan of India with an additional development aid of 10 billion euros till 2030. We've announced setting up a green hydrogen task force," Modi added. This was Modi's first meeting with Scholz as German Chancellor, who assumed office in December, 2021. Modi and Scholz also interacted with top executives from German and Indian companies "Building on our business ties. PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz interact with top executives from German and Indian companies. Discuss ways to further the vigor and vitality of the Indo-German economic and commercial partnership," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. Scholz meanwhile, reiterated that India is a super partner for Germany in Asia. "India is a super partner for Germany in Asia in economic terms, security policy terms, and climate-political terms," said Scholz. "We are ready to continue and deepen the close cooperation with India on global issues...During our 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, we also focused on global issues and these consultations help us deepen our relationship," Scholz said. "Thus, I repeat my appeal to Vladimir Putin — end this senseless killing, withdraw your troops from Ukraine," Scholz said. "Through its attack on Ukraine, Russia has violated fundamental principles of international law. The war & the brutal attacks against civilian population in Ukraine show how unrestrained Russia has been in violating the fundamental principles of the UN Charter," he added. German Chancellor Scholz also invited Prime Minister Modi for G-7 summit in Germany. "India is among our very important partners here. The world can only develop well if we are clear as to the fact that future relations in the world will be characterized and marked by many countries, not by a few powerful countries," Scholz said. "Delighted that the first Inter-Governmental Consultations of this government took place with Indian Govt. To me it's a sign of the special quality of our relationship...I invited you as our guest to G7 Summit end of June & we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany," Scholz added. In another development, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday and the two leaders reviewed the bilateral cooperation and discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar, who is here as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delegation, said that he had good conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Baerbock. "Good conversation with FM @ABaerbock. Reviewed our bilateral cooperation. Discussed Ukraine conflict & Indo-Pacific. Signed agreement on direct encrypted connection between the two Foreign Offices. Will be reporting at the Inter-Governmental Consultations Plenary," he tweeted. — Agencies
