The Joint statement issued after the second round of Indo-German intergovernmental consultations held in Berlin headed by Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has emphasized on expansion of security and defence relations between the two countries in a number of areas.
In the light of new security challenges both sides are keen to intensify their security policy dialogue and exchange of views. Both sides expressed their keenness to enhance cooperation in the defence sector through dialogue and exchanges on matters of mutual interest, including in the area of defence technology collaboration.
Both sides also agreed to intensify further their exchange of views and experience on combating terrorism as well as their practical cooperation in this connection, also in the Indo-German Working Group on Counter-Terrorism as well as multilateral forums. Both sides are in favour of holding regular consultations on issues relating to international cyber policy, however no firm direction in expansion of interaction in this all important field is evident.
Indo-German research cooperation with funding of 5 pilot projects in 2013 with the identified priorities being natural disaster management, biological risk situations, urban security, protection & rescue of people and social aspects of civil security research was signed by the two countries amongst four agreements in various other fields.
Germany and India also recalled their cooperation in the UN Security Council during 2011-12 and agreed to continue to collaborate in strengthening and reform of the United Nations and the multilateral system. They reaffirmed commitment to continue their efforts through the G-4 to reform the United Nations Security Council by expansion of both categories of its membership, and underlined their support for each other’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded Security Council.
As members of United Nations Human Rights Council, Germany and India will seek to develop mutual understanding of positions and encourage initiatives so as to promote and protect human rights.
On Afghanistan joint projects are envisaged to contribute to a stable and peaceful future for Afghanistan based on the regional Heart of Asia process, in which India coordinates confidence-building activities in the area of investment and trade promotion, activities which Germany supports.
Both sides recognize the importance of an effective national export control systems conforming to the highest international standards. Both heads of government want the bilateral dialogue on export controls and international export control regimes to continue. Germany welcomes the ongoing intensified dialogue between India and the various export control regimes (NSG, MTCR, AG and WA). Both sides agree to continue working together to prepare the ground for India to accede to the export control regimes as a full member and thereby strengthen the international non-proliferation regime.
Germany and India also reaffirmed that they will work together for a world without nuclear weapons, for universal and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament and a reduced salience of nuclear weapons in international affairs and security doctrines. Both sides agree to cooperate in strengthening global non-proliferation efforts. They noted the contribution of initiatives such as the Hague Code of Conduct against Missile Proliferation and the Proliferation Security Initiative during the last decades and the potential for advancing them in the future. Both sides support the IAEA’s Safeguards System including the Additional Protocol as the international verification norm. They participate in the discussions on a Draft International Code of Conduct on Outer Space with a view to its adoption as an agreed document of universal adherence. Both sides agree to hold regular consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues.
Both countries stress the importance of national and international efforts to reduce risks of nuclear and radiological terrorism. They reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting the full and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons and Biological and Toxic Weapons Conventions and coordinated efforts to promote their universalization. Germany attaches high importance to the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. In this context, India reiterated its commitment for its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. Both sides express their full support for a multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and call for the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh’s visit to Germany and holding of the second round of Indo-German intergovernmental consultations in Berlin with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has provided necessary continuity to Indo German strategic partnership even as Germany is going for national elections in the months ahead. Amongst the major issues that have seen congruence is the greater cooperation in international forum to work for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council in the G 4 format the others being Japan and Brazil. In addition the civil security agreement would see partnership in capacity development in disaster management and also in addressing new security challenges as cyber and counter terrorism. The defence cooperation is also being expanded through dialogue and exchanges on matters of mutual interest, including in the area of defence technology collaboration. German assurance to India for entry into the various export control regimes as the MTCR and NSG will also be welcomed.
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