1 Billion Euros Pledged by Merkel for Solar Energy

The inter-governmental consultations held on this Monday between PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel led to 18 MoUs and German assistance package worth 1 billion euros for accomplishing solar projects of India. This was the third inter-governmental consultation between India and Germany. During the meeting Modi described how Germany is India’s natural partner in economic transformation. He also said cooperation and convergence are growing in the areas of climate change and clean energy. Merkel’s India visit also boosted up EU-India ties. Both the leaders decided to restart the talks on FTA that has been stalled for long and MoUs were signed for railways, education, food safety, security, manufacturing and skill development. This shows the importance PM Modi and Chancellor Merkel give to India – German bilateral ties.

PM Modi further elaborated on the climate change saying, “We look forward to a concrete outcome at COP21 in Paris that strengthens the commitment and the ability of the world, especially of poor and vulnerable countries, to transition to a more sustainable growth path.” S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary said India’s INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution) that last week was submitted to UN was welcomed by Germany.

One of the MoUs was signed on aviation security which includes the use of sky marshals. India said a special facility will be set up for the German companies for fast – track investments. With this India also promised this facility would provide a ‘single point clearance’ and would be set up by 2016. Another important thing to be noticed is how Modi and Merkel emphasized their strong commitment to India – German strategic ties and FTA. The FTA negotiations of EU-India were installed as India expressed concern over data security and restrictions over 700 Indian drugs sale.

While the matter of FTA was pressed by Merkel, PM Modi conveyed concern over the sale of the drugs and that the regulators should be given time to take the right decision. Modi said, “German response to our development agenda is very encouraging. We can look forward with confidence to increased investment, trade and technology partnerships in manufacturing, infrastructure and skill development.”

The focus of the meeting was mainly on India-German economic ties. However, a broadbased MoU has also been signed concerning security. Under this the two countries will be collaborating on thwarting terror propaganda. The situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Asia was also discussed along with the Indian Ocean’s maritime security. Merkel discussed about the refugee crisis in Europe and Ukraine’s situation. Both the leaders pressed that the Security Council should be comprehensively reformed. The two countries issued a joint statement saying, “Recalling the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit, the leaders committed themselves to an early reform of the Security Council. Both sides stressed the outcome of the meeting of the G4 in New York on September 26th and agreed to intensify efforts to realize concrete results in the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations.” Germany also welcomed India’s engagement in export control regimes including NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group), MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime), the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia group. Both the countries agreed to collaborate on.

Image Source: Catch News