One thing stands out when Olaf Scholz and Narendra Modi summarize their conversation on Saturday afternoon in the guest house of the Indian government in New Delhi. On his first visit as chancellor to India, Scholz speaks at length about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It is a terrible war and a great catastrophe, says the SPD politician, also because he breaks with the principle "that one does not shift borders by force, does not do that, but that the law shapes international relations and that revisionism must not be the basis of the actions of states."
Markus Wehner
Political correspondent in Berlin.
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It is clear that Scholz has also come to India to explain why Germany, the EU and the West are supporting Ukraine with arms supplies. Indian Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, has been talking about a whole range of other issues for a very long time until he discusses Russia's war against Ukraine in a few of them. Since the outbreak of this war, India has pointed out that it "must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," he says. And India is ready "to participate in and contribute to any peace process – in the interests of a solution that continues to strengthen our confidence in multilateral institutions." End of the topic for the Indian head of government.
Berlin hopes for submarine deal with New Delhi
But when he later answers questions from German journalists, Scholz makes it clear that behind closed doors the war issue played a greater role. "I believe that it can be clearly said that no one here is under any illusions about the question, not even the government, that this is a war of aggression that Russia has launched to conquer part of the territory of its neighboring country," says the Chancellor. It is important that so many countries, namely 141 out of 193, have clearly condemned the Russian war of aggression in the UN General Assembly. At the same time, however, one must know "that even among the countries that did not vote, the vast majority assess and regard this as a war of aggression," said the Chancellor with a view to India.
The South Asian country is dependent on Russian oil imports, and it has long been buying military equipment from Russia. According to Berlin, India, which sees the greatest danger in China, wants to become less dependent on Russian arms imports in the future. Modi himself addresses the "security and defense cooperation" between India and Germany. It could "become an important pillar of our partnership", both sides could use "untapped potential" here. According to agency reports, India is interested in acquiring six submarines for the Indian Navy for around five billion euros.
One contender is the German company ThyssenKrupp, whose CEO Martina Merz is part of the eleven-member business delegation accompanying the chancellor in India. German government sources said that no decisions would be made during the trip. Scholz said they had also discussed security cooperation and wanted to deepen it "in concrete working relationships". They also talked about concrete projects. However, these would first have to be negotiated between the companies and the customers. "But of course they must be accompanied," said the Chancellor. He has the impression "that the quality of German technology enjoys great recognition and appreciation here in every respect." In view of the discussion on arms exports, which is being conducted in the Federal Government, it is important "that we are able to act on this issue". And that's what you want to be.
"More pressure" for a free trade agreement
In New Delhi, the Chancellor also expressed scepticism about the "peace paper" published by China on the anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine, in which it calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations. It is an initiative "that has quite recognizable light and shadow". Scholz reckons that a possible use of nuclear weapons will once again be condemned. However, the paper lacks "a recognizable line" according to which there must be a withdrawal of Russian troops.
During his visit, Scholz is also committed to expanding economic relations with India. He sees the free trade agreement with the EU as an important step. The EU and India had already negotiated a free trade agreement from 2007 to 2013 – but the talks had failed. They were resumed last year. It is a matter of "developing more pressure now" and "not always moving on from year to year," says the Chancellor. The Federal Government is in direct talks with the EU Commission that it will not take as long as before. "That's not a good impression we're making."
On Sunday, Scholz travels on to the southern Indian city of Bangalore. The city is considered the center of the Indian IT industry. The Chancellor wants to visit a branch of the German software company SAP and the company Sun Mobility, a manufacturer of replaceable battery cells for vans. The question of how Germany can attract Indian skilled workers, which Scholz had already addressed on Saturday in New Delhi, should then play a role.