New Delhi: Ahead of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's India visit from October 24, his country's Cabinet has adopted a key strategic document, titled ' Focus on India', which sheds light on the future direction of bilateral relations with India including the necessity to step up defence partnership to keep the Indo-Pacific region stable.
The German government wants to raise the strategic partnership which has underpinned the relationship with India since 2000 to a new level. The first steps towards implementation are to be agreed at the next Indo-German intergovernmental consultations on October 24-26.
"India's weight in the international political arena is increasing continuously: as the world's most populous country and a stable democracy, through its aspiration to represent the interests of developing countries in formats such as the G20 as the voice of the Global South, and as a heavyweight in multilateral formats such as the expanded BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation," the paper said.
"Cooperation with the United States, Australia and Japan within the context of the Quad is also becoming increasingly important for India's foreign policy. In the Indo-Pacific, India works to uphold freedom, openness and security and takes a constructive approach with regard to its potential to shape the region and the wider area in order to maintain the balance," it said.
India is particularly concerned about China's growing outreach in the Indo-Pacific, said the strategic document adopted by the German Cabinet. "We want to do justice to India's growing influence by continuing fruitful high-level dialogue formats such as the consultations between the German and Indian foreign and defence ministries and dovetailing them more closely. We want to benefit from India's diverse expertise as a central player in international politics," it said, and noted that India can make an "important contribution" to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
"The rules-based international order is under pressure in the Indo-Pacific and in India's direct neighbourhood. Germany and India share the common goal of defending this order and its principles. In an environment marked by fundamental shifts of power, exertion of economic and political pressure and new arms dynamics in the region, India is asserting its mounting aspirations to shape developments," the paper said.
To underscore German government's security engagement, the country's military is demonstrating frequent presence in the Indo-Pacific and expanding its cooperation with the Indian armed forces.
The German government wants to raise the strategic partnership which has underpinned the relationship with India since 2000 to a new level. The first steps towards implementation are to be agreed at the next Indo-German intergovernmental consultations on October 24-26.
"India's weight in the international political arena is increasing continuously: as the world's most populous country and a stable democracy, through its aspiration to represent the interests of developing countries in formats such as the G20 as the voice of the Global South, and as a heavyweight in multilateral formats such as the expanded BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation," the paper said.
"Cooperation with the United States, Australia and Japan within the context of the Quad is also becoming increasingly important for India's foreign policy. In the Indo-Pacific, India works to uphold freedom, openness and security and takes a constructive approach with regard to its potential to shape the region and the wider area in order to maintain the balance," it said.
India is particularly concerned about China's growing outreach in the Indo-Pacific, said the strategic document adopted by the German Cabinet. "We want to do justice to India's growing influence by continuing fruitful high-level dialogue formats such as the consultations between the German and Indian foreign and defence ministries and dovetailing them more closely. We want to benefit from India's diverse expertise as a central player in international politics," it said, and noted that India can make an "important contribution" to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
"The rules-based international order is under pressure in the Indo-Pacific and in India's direct neighbourhood. Germany and India share the common goal of defending this order and its principles. In an environment marked by fundamental shifts of power, exertion of economic and political pressure and new arms dynamics in the region, India is asserting its mounting aspirations to shape developments," the paper said.
To underscore German government's security engagement, the country's military is demonstrating frequent presence in the Indo-Pacific and expanding its cooperation with the Indian armed forces.
You may also like
'Poor choice of approaches ... ': Arnold Palmer's daughter reacts to Trump's unexpected tribute to golf legend
Ronnie O'Sullivan pulls out of Northern Ireland Open on eve of tournament
Jamie Carragher completes Liverpool transfer U-turn after Chelsea victory
67-Year-Old Man Killed Boarding Train At Indore Station; Accident Sparks Investigation
NCERT Extends Registration Deadline For Diploma In Teaching At Middle Stage
