Text of Prime Minister’s Remarks to the Media during his visit to Germany

Published By : Admin | April 14, 2015 | 17:40 IST

Chancellor Merkel, Members of the Media

I want to sincerely thank Chancellor Merkel and Germany for the very warm welcome that my delegation and I have received.

I am especially grateful that in the first year of my Government, India was chosen as a partner country for the largest industrial trade fair in the world.

Chancellor Merkel was generous with her time for me, my delegation and the CEOs of several Indian companies in Hannover. Today, my delegation and I have once again been heartily welcomed in Berlin.

I also thank her for the very open, constructive and perceptive discussions on relations between India and Germany. This is a reflection of her deep concern for Germany’s interests and her commitment to India – Germany relations.

Yesterday in Hannover, she accepted the invitation of India’s Lion to raise the level of Germany’s engagement in India and assured me of a strong response by Germany’s Eagle. I believe that there will be a strong partnership between the King of the Earth, Lion and the King of the Skies, the Eagle.

When I last came to Berlin, Germany was successful in winning the World Cup Final. This time in Berlin, I feel that we will also be successful in taking the strategic partnership between India and Germany to new heights.

Whenever anyone in India talks about technology, manufacturing or high quality, Germany is the first country that comes to the mind. So, it is natural that when India has embarked on a new journey for ‘Make in India’ for economic development and employment, we look forward to Germany’s strong partnership.

Whatever objectives we think of in terms of economic transformation and improvement in quality of life of ordinary citizens, technology, skills, innovation and investment will play an important role in it.

My objective of coming to Germany was not only to invite the German industry to India, but to assure them that they would find an open and stable environment, which would be easy to do business in; and that they will have my full support to invest and work in India.

I feel deeply encouraged by the enthusiasm and interest that I have seen in Chancellor Merkel and Germany. Equally, the feedback that I have got will be of great benefit to me in framing our policies.

I have also decided that we will establish a mechanism for German companies to facilitate their investment and business in India.

Our goal of ‘Make in India’ and creating employment for our youth depends on skill development in our country. Germany is a world leader in this field. India will have to pursue its skill development programme in accordance with its own circumstances. But at the same time, there is a lot that we can learn from Germany. We had a detailed discussion on the subject. Similarly, we intend to further strengthen our close cooperation in the areas of science, technology and education.

An area that has great priority for me personally and for my country is renewable energy and energy efficiency. As I have already said, we intend to add 175 Giga Watts of renewable energy during the next seven years. Germany is a strong partner in the development of clean energy. We would also like your cooperation on manufacturing of equipment for clean and renewable energy in India; and enhance our shared efforts to address the challenge of climate change.

Development of India as a manufacturing hub and expansion of infrastructure of India would also be beneficial for trade. Our imports would also grow. And, it is natural that German companies would benefit a lot from it. In this context, I would also like to state that negotiations between India and European Union on a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement have remained stalled for two years. I have requested Chancellor Merkel that India and European Union should resume the negotiations quickly and conclude a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement at the earliest.

We would also like to enhance our cooperation in the area of advanced technology and defence manufacturing. I hope that the German companies would participate enthusiastically in this and that your government would support them fully.

Chancellor Merkel and I had also discussed international developments. We in India believe that economic momentum in Europe is important for the global economy and European stability for global peace. The world looks to Germany for leadership in addressing both challenges. I also congratulate her on the successful outcome of talks with Iran. This will be beneficial for the entire region. Instability and violence in West Asia affects the security of our citizens at home. Peaceful and democratic development of Afghanistan is important for both of us. The direction that Asia-Pacific region will take in this century will be of great significance to the entire world.

The spread of terrorism is growing and its character is changing. The threat is coming close to us across every region of the world. We need a comprehensive global strategy to deal with this global challenge, in which India and Germany can work together. Equally, in the coming days, maritime cyber and space security would be a matter of concern to everyone and we should increase our cooperation in this area as well.

It is my belief that India and Germany are two countries that have earned the right to be permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Our membership will also be beneficial to the world. We both would like to see tangible progress in the United Nations Security Council reforms during the 70th Anniversary year of the United Nations.

We also look forward to a successful outcome of COP-21 in Paris this year.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone, especially Chancellor Merkel for a very successful and productive visit and I look forward eagerly to hosting Chancellor Merkel in India in October.

Thank you.

PM’s Reply to the questions during the Joint Press Statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Berlin

प्रधानमंत्री की जर्मनी यात्रा से संबंधित प्रश्न का उत्तरः

प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी: आज पूरे विश्व का ध्यान भारत की तरफ जा रहा है। भारत दुनिया की सबसे तेज गति से आगे बढ़ने वाली Economy के रूप में उसने अपनी जगह बनाई है। भारत के पास तीन प्रमुख ऐसी सुविधाएं हैं, जो विश्व में किसी के पास नहीं है। Demographic Dividend, Democracy and Demand. और इन तीनों बातों को देखें तो भारत में manufacturing hub बनने की पूरी संभावना है। जहां low cost manufacturing हो, “zero defect-zero effect” के साथ हो और दुनिया के सभी investors के लिए भारत एक ऐसी जगह है कि जहां पर विपुल मात्रा में work force है।

जहां बहुत बड़ी मात्रा में domestic मांग है और जहां की democratic values हैं। जो जर्मनी और भारत दोनों समान रूप से share करते हैं। तो एक ऐसा माहौल है कि जिसके कारण विश्व के अनेक देशों को और जर्मनी को विशेष रूप से भारत अनुकूल है। जर्मनी की ताकत है manufacturing, विश्व की आवश्यकताओं की पूर्ति के लिए German companies और भारत देश का माहौल, ये दोनों मिलकर के काम करे तो विश्व की अनेक आवश्यकताओं को हम बहुत अच्छे ढंग से पूरा कर सकते हैं।

भारत का work force जो कि इस manufacturing sector में तैयार होगा। वो आने वाले दिनों में एक world work force के रूप में convert हो सकता है। भारत में रोजगार, ये सबसे बड़ी आवश्यकता है और इसलिए हमारा ध्यान manufacturing hub बनाने की दिशा में है।

Hannover fair में जितनी कंपनियां मिलीं बाद में चांसलर मर्केल ने एक शाम डिनर रखा था, यहां के industrial houses के साथ, उसमें भी विस्तार से चर्चा हुई है और मैं देख रहा हूं कि चाहे skill development का काम हो, चाहे vocational education की बात हो, चाहे railway में technology up-gradation हो, expansion हो, Defence manufacturing sector का काम हो, engineering sector की विकास की नई क्षितिज हो, सभी क्षेत्रों में आज German कंपनियां, भारत के साथ मिलकर के काम करने के लिए तैयार हैं। और मेरी और चांसलर मर्केल के बीच जो बातचीत हुई है, उसके कारण इन कंपनियों का भी विश्वास बढ़ा है और उन कंपनियों का भी विश्वास बढ़ा है।

मुझे लगता है कि आने वाले दिनों में human resource development का काम हो, professional management का काम हो, manufacturing की दिशा में आगे बढ़ने की बात हो, सभी क्षेत्रों में जर्मनी और भारत सफलतापूर्वक आगे बढ़ेंगे, इस विश्वास के साथ मैं आज यहां से लौट रहा हूं।

वैश्विक आतंकवाद के मुद्दे से संबंधित प्रश्न का उत्तरः

प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी: मैं मानता हूं कि terrorism ये मानवता के लिए एक बहुत बड़ा खतरा है। जो भी मानवतवाद में विश्वास करते हैं। उनकी भाषा कोई भी हो, भू-भाग कोई भी हो, परंपराएं कोई भी हो लेकिन मानवतावादी शक्तियों का एक होना बहुत आवश्यक है और सभी मानवतावादी शक्तियों ने आतंकवाद के खिलाफ एक स्वर से, एक ही intensity के साथ बोलने की आवश्यकता है, collectively efforts करने की आवश्यकता है।

और हम देख रहे हैं आज से 25 साल पहले हम भारत के लोग दुनिया को आतंकवाद के खतरे की बात बताते थे तो कुछ लोग हमें कहते थे, ये आपका law and order problem है। आज दुनिया को समझ आया है कि कितना भयंकर रूप होता है और ये मानवता के खिलाफ एक लड़ाई है। जब तक हम मानवतावादी शक्तियों को एकत्र नहीं करते हैं और हम आतंकवाद के सामने समान रूप से व्यवहार नहीं करते हैं, उनको खुला मैदान मिल जाता है। उनको शस्त्र जहां से मिलते हो, उस पर से रोक कैसे लगे? आतंकवादियों को shelter देने वाली अगर सरकारें हैं तो उन सरकारों पर दबाव कैसे पैदा किया जाए? जितनी sensitivity nuclear weapon को लेकर के है, उतनी ही आतंकवाद को पनाह देने वालों देशों के प्रति भी होनी चाहिए। अगर ये ही एक मूड बनता है और हम आतंकवाद को और आतंकवाद को समर्थन करने वालों को isolate करना ये हमारी पहली strategy होनी चाहिए और दुनिया इस पर गंभीरता से सोचेगी।

दूसरा महत्वपूर्ण काम है United Nation में बहुत लंब अर्से से एक प्रस्ताव चर्चा पर pending पड़ा हुआ है। जिसमें आतंकवाद की definition होना बहुत आवश्यक है। मैं चाहूंगा कि जब United Nation अपने 70 साल पूर्ण करने जा रहा है। उस resolution को पारित करे, define करे और दुनिया के लोगों के लिए बंधनकर्ता चीजों का regulation तैयार करे। तब जाकर के एक platform पर से इस मानवता विरोधी पृवत्तियों के खिलाफ दुनिया को एकत्र किया जा सकता है। मैं चांसलर मर्केल के विचारों से परिचित हूं। वे आतंकवाद के खिलाफ उतने ही स्पष्ट विचार रखती हैं, जितना कि हम भारत के लोग पिछले 30 साल से आतंकवाद से परेशान हैं। हम अनुभव करते हैं और मैं मानता हूं कि अब पूरी दुनिया, जिस प्रकार से आतंकवाद फैल रहा है और अधिक सजग बनकर के और अधिक साथ मिलकर के इस मानवता की रक्षा के लिए काम करेंगी।

संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद (UNSC) में, भारत की स्थायी सदस्यता से संबधित प्रश्न का उत्तर: 

प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी: एक विषय जो आपने पूछा है permanent membership, security council में, मैं दुनिया का इस बात की ओर ध्यान आकर्षित करना चाहता हूं। आप जानते हैं कि ये वर्ष UN के 70 साल हो रहे हैं और पूरा विश्व ये वर्ष प्रथम विश्व युद्ध की शताब्दी के वर्ष से गुजर रहा है। विश्व को मालूम होना चाहिए कि भारत के सैनिक प्रथम विश्व युद्ध में 75 thousand से ज्यादा सैनिक शहीद हुए थे और प्रथम विश्व युद्ध में 14 लाख से ज्यादा भारत के सैनिकों को हिस्सा लेना पड़ा था। उसमें भारत का कोई हित नहीं था, भारत की कोई योजना नही थी। UN के बाद आप देखिए Peace Keeping Force, सबसे ज्यादा सैनिक Peace Keeping Force में जो राष्ट्र भेजे जाते हैं, उनमें एक नाम भारत का है। Peace Keeping Force में भी UN के मार्गदर्शन में उत्तम से उत्तम कार्य करने के लिए बार-बार भारत की सराहना होती है और भारत जिसका इतिहास और संस्कृति कभी भी ये वो देश जिसने युद्ध नहीं किया है, आक्रमण नहीं किया है।

वो देश जहां अहिंसा के दूत महात्मा गांधी पैदा हुए थे, वो देश जहां गौतम बुद्ध पैदा हुए थे, जहां की संस्कृति, परंपरा, शांति को समर्पित है, उस देश को अगर United Nation में permanent membership security council न मिले, उसके लिए 70 साल तक उसको इंतजार करना पड़े, तब सवाल उठता है कि शांति पर भरोसा करने वाले, शांति के लिए जीने वाले, शांति जिनके DNA में है, ऐसे देश के प्रति अब न्याय होना चाहिए, समय बहुत चला गया है।

Thank you

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Many ships are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, with a large number of Indian crew members on board. This is a major cause of concern for India: PM
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Honourable Chairman,

We are all familiar with the war currently taking place in West Asia and the circumstances arising from it. Today, I stand before the Upper House of Parliament and before my fellow citizens to share the government’s position on these grave circumstances. This war has now continued for more than three weeks. It has created a severe energy crisis across the world. For India too, this situation is worrisome. Our trade routes are being affected. Routine supplies of essential goods such as petrol, diesel, gas, and fertilizers are disrupted. Nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries. Ensuring their safety and livelihood is a major concern for India. Many ships are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, with a large number of Indian crew members aboard. This too is a matter of serious concern for India. In such dire circumstances, it is essential that from this Upper House of Parliament, a united voice for peace and dialogue reaches the entire world.

Honourable Chairman,

Since the beginning of the war, I have spoken twice on the phone with the heads of most countries in West Asia. We are in continuous contact with all Gulf countries. We are also in touch with Iran, Israel, and the United States. Our goal is to restore peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy. We have spoken with them about de-escalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on commercial ships and obstruction in international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable. India has opposed attacks on civilians, civil infrastructure, and energy and transport-related infrastructure. Through diplomacy, India is making continuous efforts to ensure the safe passage of Indian ships even in this war-like environment. India has suggested dialogue as the only path to resolving this problem. Any threat to human life in this war is not in the interest of humanity. Therefore, India’s constant effort is to encourage all parties to reach a peaceful solution as soon as possible.

Honourable Chairman,

In times of crisis, the safety of Indians both at home and abroad is our highest priority. Since the war began, more than 375,000 Indians have safely returned to India. From Iran alone, more than 1,000 Indians have returned safely, including over 700 young students pursuing medical education. Our government is working with full sensitivity during this crisis. All countries have assured us of the safety of Indians present there. However, it is deeply saddening that some Indians have lost their lives due to attacks, and some have been injured. In such difficult circumstances, necessary assistance is being provided to their families. Those injured are being ensured the best possible medical treatment.

Honourable Chairman,

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the largest routes of global trade. In particular, the transport of crude oil, gas, and fertilizers takes place in huge quantities through this region. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become highly challenging. Yet, despite adverse circumstances, our government has tried to create pathways through dialogue and diplomacy. Our effort is to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India from wherever possible. The results of these efforts are visible to the nation. In recent days, ships carrying crude oil and LPG from many countries have arrived in India. Our efforts in this direction will continue in the coming days as well.

Honourable Chairman,

India’s effort is to ensure that ships carrying essential goods such as oil, gas, and fertilizers reach India safely. But if the global circumstances created by this war persist for a long time, serious consequences are inevitable. Therefore, India is accelerating the resilience-building measures it has undertaken in recent years.

Honourable Chairman,

Every crisis tests both our courage and our efforts. To enable the country to face such crises better, continuous decisions have been taken over the past 11 years. Diversification of energy imports is part of these efforts. Earlier, India imported crude oil, LNG, and LPG from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries. In the past decade, India has also prioritized crude oil reserves for times of crisis. Our oil companies maintain significant reserves of petrol and diesel for emergencies. Over the past 11 years, more than 5.3 million metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves have been developed, and the country is working on arrangements for reserves exceeding 6.5 million metric tonnes. Alongside this, India’s refining capacity has also been substantially increased in the past decade. Through you, I wish to assure the House and the nation that India has adequate crude oil storage and arrangements for continuous supply.

Honourable Chairman,

Our government is striving to ensure that there is no excessive dependence on any single source of fuel. Alongside LPG, the government is also emphasizing PNG for domestic gas supply. In the past decade, unprecedented work has been done to expand PNG connections, and this effort has been further accelerated in recent days. At the same time, large-scale efforts are being made to increase domestic production of LNG.

Honourable Chairman,

In recent years, the government has consistently worked to minimize dependence on other countries in every sector. Becoming increasingly self-reliant is the only option. For example, more than 90% of India’s oil is transported on foreign ships, which makes India’s situation even more serious during any global crisis. Therefore, the government has launched a campaign worth about 70,000 crore rupees to build Made in India ships. India is now rapidly developing facilities for shipbuilding, shipbreaking, maintenance, and overhauling. India is also making its defense sector more resilient. Due to efforts made in the past decade, India today manufactures most of the weapons it needs domestically. There was a time when India was heavily dependent on other countries even for raw materials of life-saving medicines, namely APIs. In recent years, the country has made many efforts to build an API ecosystem within India itself. Similarly, major steps are being taken to reduce foreign dependence in rare earth minerals.

Honourable Chairman,

The current crisis has shaken the global economy. The damage already caused in West Asia will take the world a long time to recover from. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that India suffers the least possible impact. The fundamentals of our economy are strong, and the government is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. The government is working with a strategy to address short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts. An inter-ministerial group has also been formed, which meets regularly to assess every difficulty arising in our imports and exports, and continuously works on necessary solutions. Just as empowered groups of experts and officers were formed during the pandemic to tackle challenges in different sectors, yesterday seven new empowered groups were also constituted. These groups will act swiftly and strategically on issues such as supply chains, petrol and diesel, fertilizers, gas, and inflation. I am confident that through these collective efforts, we will be able to face the circumstances more effectively.

Honourable Chairman,

The government is also working to ensure that farmers receive adequate fertilizer in the upcoming sowing season. Necessary preparations have been made for sufficient supply of fertilizers. The government’s constant effort is that farmers should not bear the burden of any crisis. I once again assure the farmers of the country that the government stands with them in finding solutions to every challenge.

Honourable Chairman,

This is the House of States. In the coming times, this crisis will be a major test for our country, and the cooperation of states will be crucial for success. Therefore, through this House, I would like to make a few requests to all state governments. In times of crisis, the poor, workers, and migrant companions are most affected. Therefore, it must be ensured that the benefits of the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana reach them on time. Proactive steps should be taken to ease the difficulties of migrant workers wherever they are employed. If state governments make special arrangements to monitor such situations, it will provide significant relief. State governments must also pay close attention to another challenge: in such times, black-marketeers and hoarders become very active. Wherever such complaints arise, immediate action must be taken. Ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential goods must be the top priority of every state.

Honourable Chairman,

I would also like to make another request to all state governments. No matter how severe the crisis, maintaining India’s rapid growth is our collective responsibility. For this, every necessary step and every necessary reform must be carried out swiftly. This is also a great opportunity for state governments. This is a major test for Team India. During the great crisis of the pandemic, the Centre and the states together presented an excellent model of COVID management. Despite governments of different political parties, testing, vaccination, and supply of essential goods were ensured through Team India’s efforts. We must continue to work in the same spirit. With the combined efforts of all state governments and the central government, the country will be able to face this grave global crisis effectively.

Honourable Chairman,

This crisis is of a different nature, and its solutions are also being determined in a different way. We must face every challenge with patience, restraint, and a calm mind.

Honourable Chairman,

As we can see, the situation regarding this war is changing moment by moment. Therefore, I would also say to my fellow citizens that we must be prepared for every challenge. There is a strong possibility that the adverse effects of this war will last for a long time. But I assure the people of the country that the government is alert, ready, and working with full seriousness on strategy, taking every necessary decision. The welfare of the people is paramount for us. This is our identity, this is our strength. With this spirit, I conclude my statement.

Thank you very much!