New Delhi: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier encouraged German political and economic partners to strengthen their commitment in India.
“I am sure that the new Federal Government will be significantly more committed here in India. And we must pay the same attention to India as we devote to other global players. And this will not just be limited to the economy. 1800 German companies are invested here, and at the moment German companies are very interesting for India because taking into account the needs of the young generation, German companies offer professional training and this experience is exactly what is needed here in India,” he said.
While interacting with the media after meeting President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan the President said that he had huge respect for India.
“I have been to India several times but this is my first visit here as the President of Germany. I am coming here again and again because I have huge respect regarding the achievements in India, for the people and the country itself,” Steinmeier said.
On the question of free and fair world trade, the President said that India is one of those countries that have an interest in defending it and that it would be a good sign right now if the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the European Union and India could be restarted.
Germany and India share a long history of educational collaboration. The President said that there is an urgent desire in India to expand this cooperation, and the same interest should also exist on the German side.
“Fortunately, the number of Indian students is increasing in Germany. We already have about 15,000 students from India in Germany and the number is increasing further. Many German universities now offer English language courses for Indian students, so the linguistic hurdles that used to be there no longer exist, he added.
While praising PM Modi for implementing economic reforms the President said, “This is a country on the move and this is a country in reform. Not everything has been implemented so far, but the direction that we see here, which Prime Minister Modi has taken, is, in my view, a direction that firstly, finds clear support in his own country and secondly, also improves India and makes us a partner.”
One the question of the rise of China the President said, “There is no political conversation that we have had during these days in India, which did not also include the big neighbor China. Prime Minister Modi has just highlighted in the conversation again that principally there are no bad relations with China, rather lots of exchanges at political and economic levels. But, of course, frankly said, people, are worried about China’s greater presence not only in the Pacific region but also in the Indian Ocean. And India calls for all those who have an interest – in trade connections, travel routes also through the Indian Ocean – to be vigilant here, and also to make it clear to China that they are calling for restraint.”
The President visited the Jama Masjid in New Delhi on his first day in the Indian capital. He also delivered a speech on ‘India and Germany – Ideas and Perspectives’ at the University of Delhi on the same day as well as visited the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology.
The President also visited Varanasi, the constituency of PM Narendra Modi where he took a tour of the Sarnath museum and the archaeological site. Later he visited the Mulgandha-Kuti temple where he was greeted with a traditional welcome ceremony.
