New Delhi: The seventh meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) was held between India and Germany on Friday. During this, the two countries agreed on eight major topics related to the exchange of sensitive information, green hydrogen, innovation-technology, labor-employment, skill development-vocational education and green urban mobility.
After co-chairing the meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the growing cooperation of the two countries in the field of defense and security is a symbol of mutual trust. He said that there is clarity in our partnership and its future is bright. At the same time, German Chancellor Scholz said that Germany wants more skilled workers from India in the medical, care and IT sector.
Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Scholz on Friday co-chaired the 7th Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) of the two countries at Hyderabad House in Delhi. The IGC framework, launched in 2011, allows for the identification of new areas of cooperation and a comprehensive review of cooperation between different sectors. It was attended by other ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.
The two leaders later delivered a joint press statement and witnessed the exchange of agreements between India and Germany. India and Germany today signed an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Criminal Matters and Exchange and Reciprocal Protection of Sensitive Information. Roadmaps on Green Hydrogen and Innovation and Technology were prepared between the two countries. The two countries signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Joint Cooperation in Research and Development on Advanced Materials in the Field of Employment and Labour and the India-Germany Green Urban Mobility Partnership. There was also a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of skill development and vocational education and training.
In his statement, the Prime Minister said that the youth power of India is contributing to the prosperity and development of Germany. We welcome Germany’s skilled labour strategies for India. The growing cooperation in the defence and security sectors is a symbol of our deep mutual trust. The agreement on mutual security of sensitive information is a new step in this direction. The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty concluded today will strengthen our joint efforts to deal with terrorism and separatist elements.
An agreement on mutual security of sensitive information was signed between the two countries today. The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap was approved. Research and development agreements on advanced materials were signed between India and Germany, including a joint declaration of understanding related to employment and labour.
In the talks, both the leaders agreed on ensuring free movement and rule-based system under international laws in the Indo-Pacific region. They agreed that the global forums created in the 20th century are not capable of dealing with the challenges of the 21st century. Referring to this in his statement, the Prime Minister once again stressed the need for reforms in other multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council.
Both the leaders expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and West Asia. The Prime Minister said that India has always believed that problems cannot be solved by war and India is ready to contribute in every possible way to restore peace.
During this, the Innovation and Technology Roadmap was launched. The Prime Minister said that a consensus has also been reached on a whole-of-government approach in critical and emerging technologies, skill development and innovation. This will strengthen cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy.
The Prime Minister congratulated Chancellor Scholz for Germany’s “Focus on India” strategy and said that it has a blueprint to modernize and upgrade the partnership between the world’s two largest democracies in a comprehensive manner.
The German Chancellor described India as the basis of stability in South Asia and said that the international rule-based system has come under pressure due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. He mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s readiness to build trusted relations with all parties (Russia and Ukraine) and contribute to a political solution to the conflict.
The Chancellor said that Germany wants more skilled workers from India in the medical, care and IT sectors. For this purpose, we have developed a country-specific agenda with India which we have presented to our colleagues in New Delhi. This is the first country-specific agenda of its kind and outlines our strategy on skilled labour. He said that India is set to become a global hub for green hydrogen. The German government and German companies would like to be part of this success story.
