German Chancellor: India must make clear its position on Russia’s war in Ukraine
During the visit, Scholz emphasized Germany’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations with India, not forgetting to strengthen cooperation in global issues as well. Trade, climate issues, “green transition” are also the focus of the visit of the German chancellor. However, according to Jens Plotner, Germany’s foreign affairs and security policy advisor, Scholz’s visit is not without challenges. Plotner emphasized that, “German-Indian bilateral relations, however wonderful they are, do not develop in a clean environment.”
“We have entered a very messy international situation full of challenges. Russia’s war against Ukraine. This is a European war. But it is a war with global consequences,” Plotner said.
While India has toughened its stance against Russia’s war in Ukraine to counter Western criticism of its soft approach to Russia, it has still not openly held Moscow accountable for its incursion into Ukraine. India has also not changed its policy on Russian oil and coal imports.
Former Indian ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, emphasized that Scholz’s visit to India comes at a difficult time for the world, when the war in Ukraine is likely to escalate. But India’s position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be difficult to change because of decades of strategic ties with Moscow. Ahead of Scholz’s visit to India, Shankar predicted that the Indian prime minister would likely push for an end to the war in Ukraine through diplomacy and dialogue.
Shankar’s predictions turned out to be quite accurate. The Prime Minister of India has emphasized the need for dialogue to end the war in Ukraine caused by Russia at the press conference held after the meeting with the Chancellor of Germany.
“Since the beginning of the events in Ukraine, India has laid emphasis on resolving this dispute through dialogue and diplomacy. India is ready to contribute to any peace process. Security and defense cooperation can become an important pillar of our strategic partnership,” said the Indian Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann said ahead of the German chancellor’s visit to India that India could be a suitable candidate to find a way out of the conflict in Ukraine, but it is unlikely to happen during Scholz’s visit.
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