New Delhi: India would like to see its negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement (FTA) move to a "decisive conclusion" soon, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. He was addressing a joint media briefing following talks with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul.
Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe and its support is critical for an early conclusion of India-EU FTA amid tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and delay in the India-US trade deal, according to analysts.
The external affairs minister said Wadephul told him that Germany will put its full weight behind the India-EU FTA.
Predictability has a huge premium in global politics, Jaishankar said, speaking against the backdrop of India looking to readjust its relations with China and expand its ties with Russia while manoeuvring through US tariffs.
The minister also said the world is witnessing sweeping changes in the global strategic landscape. "Changes we see in the world today do influence our policy and do influence the manner we approach other countries," he said.
The talks with Wadephul, he said, focused on boosting bilateral ties in the areas of economy, climate change, defence and technology.
"We appreciate Germany's aim to double trade with India," Jaishankar said. He also expressed appreciation for Germany addressing export control issues.
The external affairs minister further said, "We greatly value the understanding that Germany has shown with regard to India's fight against terrorism. German foreign minister Wadephul has himself been explicit about our right to defend our people against terrorist attacks. A parliamentary delegation that visited Germany in June after Operation Sindoor was also warmly received."
He added, "There's been an uptick in our defence and security cooperation. Germany participated in the Tarang Shakti air exercises last year, and its ships made port calls to Goa. Today, we agreed that such participation should be continued, indeed even expanded."
Wadephul praised India's growing role in technology, noting that hosting the next AI Summit reflected the country's ambition to be among global leaders.
Wadephul urged India to press its close ally Russia to return to peace talks over the war in Ukraine, days after Indian PM Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in China.
Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe and its support is critical for an early conclusion of India-EU FTA amid tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and delay in the India-US trade deal, according to analysts.
The external affairs minister said Wadephul told him that Germany will put its full weight behind the India-EU FTA.
Predictability has a huge premium in global politics, Jaishankar said, speaking against the backdrop of India looking to readjust its relations with China and expand its ties with Russia while manoeuvring through US tariffs.
The minister also said the world is witnessing sweeping changes in the global strategic landscape. "Changes we see in the world today do influence our policy and do influence the manner we approach other countries," he said.
The talks with Wadephul, he said, focused on boosting bilateral ties in the areas of economy, climate change, defence and technology.
"We appreciate Germany's aim to double trade with India," Jaishankar said. He also expressed appreciation for Germany addressing export control issues.
The external affairs minister further said, "We greatly value the understanding that Germany has shown with regard to India's fight against terrorism. German foreign minister Wadephul has himself been explicit about our right to defend our people against terrorist attacks. A parliamentary delegation that visited Germany in June after Operation Sindoor was also warmly received."
He added, "There's been an uptick in our defence and security cooperation. Germany participated in the Tarang Shakti air exercises last year, and its ships made port calls to Goa. Today, we agreed that such participation should be continued, indeed even expanded."
Wadephul praised India's growing role in technology, noting that hosting the next AI Summit reflected the country's ambition to be among global leaders.
Wadephul urged India to press its close ally Russia to return to peace talks over the war in Ukraine, days after Indian PM Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in China.
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