India has pushed to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy and dialogue and stands ready to contribute to any peace process, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday after wide-ranging talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Talks between the two leaders covered the full range of bilateral relations, as well as important regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict.
In his media statement, Scholz said the world was suffering from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and insisted that no one could use force to change borders.
The war in Ukraine has resulted in immense casualties and destruction, he said, adding: “It’s a catastrophe.”
The German Chancellor’s visit to India took place one day after the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We must ensure that countries in Asia, Africa and America are not hit hard and negatively by the terrible war of aggression,” said Scholz.
In his statement, Modi said that since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, India has emphasized solving the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. “India stands ready to contribute to any peace process,” Modi said.
The prime minister said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine conflict is being felt around the world, and developing countries are particularly suffering.
He said there has been active cooperation between India and Germany in the fight against terrorism and separatism, and both countries agree that concrete action is needed to end cross-border terrorism.
“We also reiterated the consensus that reform of multilateral institutions is needed to better reflect global realities,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also said in his speech that security and defense cooperation could become an important pillar of the strategic partnership between India and Germany.
“We discussed in detail all major bilateral, regional and global issues,” he said.
Modi said Germany is not only the largest trading partner in Europe, but also a major source of investment in India.
The increased cooperation between the two largest democratic economies is not only beneficial for the people of India and Germany, but also sends a positive message in today’s stress-stricken world, Modi said.
He also pointed out that India and Germany are strengthening mutual ties for the development of third countries within the framework of triangular development cooperation.
