GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th Oct. India and Germany expressed their “deepest concern” over the ongoing war in Ukraine and its humanitarian repercussions during the seventh round of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chaired the meeting, where they condemned the “use or threat of use” of nuclear weapons in relation to the conflict.
A joint statement from the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the leaders’ shared views on the necessity of a comprehensive and just peace in Ukraine, emphasizing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity as per international law. They also noted the war’s adverse effects on global food and energy security, particularly for developing nations.
Modi and Scholz unequivocally condemned the Hamas attacks on October 7 and expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They called for the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas, an urgent ceasefire, and improved access to humanitarian assistance.
The leaders expressed their “deep concern” regarding the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and emphasized that diplomatic means are the only path to resolve the conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon. They reaffirmed their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, advocating for a viable and independent Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside Israel.
As the world’s largest democracies, India and the European Union (EU) share a common interest in security and sustainable development in a multipolar world. They called for a deepening of the India-EU Strategic Partnership, emphasizing the need for concerted action against all terrorist organizations and the elimination of terrorist safe havens.
Modi and Scholz also addressed the challenges posed by new technologies in terrorism and reiterated their commitment to a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The leaders discussed the need for reform in the United Nations Security Council to better address global crises, reaffirming their stance as members of the Group of Four (G4) advocating for a more effective and transparent Security Council.
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