Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to make a push for greater and aggressive economic cooperation between the two countries. "I will depart from Germany with a belief that both countries will work together," Modi said. "I believe both India and Germany should be permanent members in the UNSC and the world will gain a lot by this," the India Prime Minister added.
"There is a lot we can learn from Germany. It is known for skill development,which is a priority area for us." "The enthusiasm of Chancellor Merkel and German industry is very encouraging. Will establish mechanism for German companies to facilitate their investment and business in India," he said.
"I believe terrorism is a big danger for humanity; humanitarian forces need to unite against this menace," Modi said. Addressing the media jointly with Merkel after their talks, Modi said, "We had widespread discussions about Indo-German relations. We will be successful in bringing Indo-German strategic partnership to a new level." Modi thanked Germany for choosing India as the partner country in the world's biggest trade fare in Hannover.
Modi woos German investors, promises stable environment
Promising a stable business environment, Modi wooed German investors saying opportunities in India are “seamless” and huge for a vibrant economic partnership. Inaugurating the Hannover Messe, a business fair, with Merkel, Modi said India was working on a “predictable and transparent” environment to open up investments.
“We are creating an environment that is stable, where rules will not be changed frequently and there will be no surprise elements,” he said. Strongly pitching for his ‘Make in India’ campaign, he said it was not a “slogan or a brand, but a new national movement.” Describing Germany as a “valuable partner”, Modi said the two countries share a close and warm relationship that has grown in depth and diversity.
“India is open and ready to embrace the whole world,” he said while noting that there was a new level of interest among countries for partnership with India for enhancing trade, investment and in a host of other areas.
Welcoming Modi, Merkel said Germany was ready to give a new dimension to partnership with India. Noting that cooperative federalism existed in Germany like in India, she said sincere efforts will be made to bolster trade on all fronts. In Hannover, the Indian Prime Minister unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi along with the mayor of Hannover. Later Modi left for Canada on the third leg of his visit.
India's secularism is strong, it will not shake
Addressing the Indian community in Berlin, Modi said India's secularism is strong and it would not shake. Addressing a community reception hosted by the Indian ambassador, the Indian prime minister said: "India's secularism is not so weak that it will crumble. Our secularism is strong, and it will not shake; our self confidence should also not shake," he said.
He also said that India would set the agenda for the climate change summit in Paris this year. Modi said that Indians have always traditionally followed the principle of reuse and recycle, and never believed in wasting nature's resources. India worships mother nature, he said.
"Reuse and recycle - we have been doing for years, but the world is using it now. But we never highlighted this aspect of ours, of reuse and recycle. Now the world is telling us to reuse and recycle. Those who damage the environment are today asking us to pay. They are asking us to reduce carbon emissions."
"We are those who pay respect to environment, we call rivers mother, worhship trees, and nature, it is part of our culture, and we should go the world with this," Modi said.
"We should stand with confidence, that we can show the world the way. We will set its agenda, I want to assure you. India will set the agenda for the climate change summit, and on the basis of our values; we are not those to take from world, but give," he said to loud applause. He also assured the diaspora that the country will always be there for them and maintain its ties with the diaspora.
No country should provide shelter to terrorists
During his visit to France, Modi and French President Francois Hollande discussed the issue of terrorism in the context of recent attack in Paris and release of 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and decided to intensify cooperation against the menace.
"The world is facing many challenges. There is an upheaval in the world and all are affected...Terror is spreading in new forms in various countries," Modi said. France suffered when terrorists struck in Paris in January and understands India's "pain" over terrorism, he said.
"They agreed that India and France must intensify their cooperation within the framework of JWG on Counter-Terrorism, including on information and intelligence sharing on terror networks and work together to share experiences on dealing with the growing phenomenon of radicalisation," a joint statement said after Modi and Hollande held wide-ranging talks. During his visit Modi said on Friday he had ordered 36 "ready-to-fly" French-made Rafale fighter jets to modernise India's ageing war plane fleet as neighbouring states upgraded their military hardware.
