The German Chancellor spoke with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to give new impetus to the proposed trade agreement between the EU and India. The two leaders also signed several bilateral agreements to strengthen their countries’ strategic ties.
Visiting India for 3 days, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The German leader called for a free trade deal between India and the European Union, saying it would benefit “all parts”.
Support for an EU-India trade deal and bilateral agreements
Olaf Scholz and Narendra Modi also signed several cooperation agreements between their respective countries, notably in the fields of defense, trade, clean energy and information technology.
‘There is enormous potential to expand and further expand trade and investment between our two economies. And as Chancellor, I strongly support an ambitious free trade agreement between India and the European Union.” declared the German chancellor.
This Saturday, Olaf Scholz will visit a German frigate and a supply ship participating in German-Indian naval exercises in the southern state of Goa.
Call for peace in Ukraine
During this exchange, the German chancellor also called for strengthening diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with Narendra Modi having until now always refrained from condemning Russia’s conduct.
“I expressly support India in advocating a lasting and just peace, and I welcome its willingness to use its reliable relationships with all parties to contribute to a political solution to the conflict.” underlined the German leader.
Although Germany is among Ukraine’s main allies, Olaf Scholz earlier rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s request for an invitation to join NATO, considering the achievement of peace as a precondition. to Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.