The Indo-Pacific region is the focus of attention for Germany: Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the Indo-Pacific region is a key focus area for both India and Germany, and a consultation mechanism is being initiated to increase coordination in the region, while the two countries are also working to create a secure, reliable, and robust supply chain.
After holding talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on a two-day visit to India, Prime Minister Modi said in a joint press statement that India and Germany have always moved forward together and the impact of this friendship is visible globally. The trilateral development partnership with countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Malawi is a successful model for the world. He said they will continue to take joint steps for the development of Global South countries. He said the Indo-Pacific is a key focus area for both countries. To increase coordination in the region, they are going to start a consultation mechanism.
The Prime Minister said they had a detailed discussion on several global and regional issues, including Ukraine and Gaza. He said India has always supported a peaceful resolution to all issues and conflicts and supports all steps taken in this direction. They agree that terrorism is a serious threat to entire humanity. Prime Minister Modi said India and Germany will fight against it with full force together.
He said India and Germany agree that reforms in global institutions are crucial to address global challenges. He said the joint initiative by the two countries through the G-4 for reforms in the United Nations Security Council is a proof of this thinking.
Prime Minister Modi said technological cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened over the years and its impact is visible on the ground today. India and Germany have similar priorities in the field of renewable energy. To increase cooperation, it has been decided to set up an India-Germany Excellence Center. He said it will be a joint platform for science, technology, and innovation. He said they are moving forward together in areas like environment, energy, urban development, and urban mobility.
The Prime Minister said the new mega project of companies of both countries in Green Hydrogen will prove to be a revolution for future energy. He said India and Germany are also working to create a secure, reliable, and robust supply chain. The agreements signed today will give new speed and strength to cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi said increasing cooperation in the field of defense and security is a symbol of mutual trust and shared thinking. He thanked Chancellor Scholz for simplifying the procedure related to defense business. He said they will also work on a roadmap to increase cooperation between defense industries, which will create new opportunities for joint development and joint production.
Mr. Modi said India and Germany have historical and deep people-to-people relations and today they are giving a shape to this historical connection in the form of a modern partnership. Special emphasis has been laid on migration, mobility, and skill promotion, and talented Indian youth are playing an important role in the German economy. He said the joint declaration on global skill partnership is a symbol of this trust. It will facilitate the movement of professionals, especially in the health sector.
Prime Minister Modi said the two countries have also taken concrete steps to take cooperation forward in the field of sports. He said it will be an effective means of connecting the youth. The comprehensive roadmap prepared today in the field of higher education will give a new direction to their partnership in the education sector. I invite German universities to set up their campuses in India. I thank Chancellor Scholz for the announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens. It will increase the proximity between the people of the two countries.
He also expressed happiness over the connection of the under-construction National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat, with the German Maritime Museum. He said the Gujarat Ayurveda University has had close cooperation with Germany in the field of traditional medicine. The MoU finalized today on this important subject will further strengthen cooperation.
Earlier, the Prime Minister said it is a matter of pleasure for him to welcome Chancellor Scholz to India on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti. It is a happy coincidence that Swami Vivekananda had established a bridge of philosophy, knowledge, and spirit between India and Germany. Today, Chancellor Scholz's visit is giving new energy, new trust, and new expansion to this bridge. As Chancellor, this is not only his first visit to India but also his first visit to the entire Asia. This is a proof of how much importance he gives to relations with India.
Prime Minister Modi said Chancellor Scholz's visit is taking place at a time when 25 years of strategic partnership are being completed and this year both countries are also celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations.
He said these successes are not just time-bound successes but are a symbol of their shared aspirations, mutual trust, and continuously strengthening cooperation. Close cooperation between economies of countries like India and Germany is very important for entire humanity. Trade and investment relations have given new energy to their strategic partnership. Their bilateral trade has reached an all-time high and has crossed the figure of $50 billion. More than 2,000 German companies have been present in India for a long time. This reflects their unwavering trust in India and the immense possibilities available here.