ID :
146582
Tue, 10/19/2010 - 12:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/146582
The shortlink copeid
UN reforms, counter-terror, NPT part of Indo-German talks
New Delhi, Oct 18(PTI) India and Germany Monday decided
to stay in "close contact" and work with other G-4
members--Japan and Brazil-- to impart fresh momentum to their
efforts for reforms of the UN Security Council as both sides
discussed ways to strengthen their strategic cooperation.
Both India and Germany were recently elected as
non-permanent members of UNSC for two years--2011 and 2012.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who is here on
a three-day visit, met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
and held talks with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna, after
which both sides inked an MoU on celebrating a Year of Germany
in India in 2011-2012 and a Year of India in Germany in
2012-2013, marking 60th anniversary of their diplomatic
ties.
Besides expansion of UNSC, both sides also focused on
enhanced counter-terror cooperation, the Iranian nuclear
issue, climate change and intensification of economic and
defence ties.
Later at a press conference, Westerwelle said the two
sides also discussed non-proliferation and disarmament,
maintaining that both were "two sides" of the same coin.
Noting that India was not a member of Non-proliferation
Treaty, he said "we acknowledge its efforts to support
non-proliferation. We would like to encourage India to move
even closer to international non-proliferation system. We are
encouraged by signs that India could be prepared to sign the
CTBT. That will be a very important step forward to our
German position."
However, he said it was up to Indian government to make
its position clear on these issues.
Germany supported the waiver granted for India by Nuclear
Suppliers Group in September 2008 for world atomic commerce.
Though India adheres to a voluntary moratorium on nuclear
testing, it has refused to sign CTBT, terming it as
discriminatory.
However, when asked why is it that on one hand his
country wants India to sign CTBT and on the other it still
supplies defence and other equipments to it, the Minister said
"these are two different matters."
"I am very much convinced that we Germans have the best
products and reliable and it has nothing to do (with other
issue," he said.
Asserting that UN architect reflects the scenario of
post-second World War where many emerging powers such as
Africa and Asia were "under represented", he said the two
countries have agreed to stay in "close contact" with each
other on the issue of UN reforms and probably, a meeting will
take place in the next few months to work with other G-4
members to work in this direction.
Describing India as "country on the rise", both in
economic and political terms, the visiting Minister said the
projection of 9 percent growth for year and its recent
election as a non-permanent member of UNSC with overwhelming
majority speaks in "clear and telling language that India is
the country of the future".
On counter-terror cooperation, Westerwelle said Germany
was willing strengthen the ties and was willing to share
intelligence information.
to stay in "close contact" and work with other G-4
members--Japan and Brazil-- to impart fresh momentum to their
efforts for reforms of the UN Security Council as both sides
discussed ways to strengthen their strategic cooperation.
Both India and Germany were recently elected as
non-permanent members of UNSC for two years--2011 and 2012.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who is here on
a three-day visit, met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
and held talks with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna, after
which both sides inked an MoU on celebrating a Year of Germany
in India in 2011-2012 and a Year of India in Germany in
2012-2013, marking 60th anniversary of their diplomatic
ties.
Besides expansion of UNSC, both sides also focused on
enhanced counter-terror cooperation, the Iranian nuclear
issue, climate change and intensification of economic and
defence ties.
Later at a press conference, Westerwelle said the two
sides also discussed non-proliferation and disarmament,
maintaining that both were "two sides" of the same coin.
Noting that India was not a member of Non-proliferation
Treaty, he said "we acknowledge its efforts to support
non-proliferation. We would like to encourage India to move
even closer to international non-proliferation system. We are
encouraged by signs that India could be prepared to sign the
CTBT. That will be a very important step forward to our
German position."
However, he said it was up to Indian government to make
its position clear on these issues.
Germany supported the waiver granted for India by Nuclear
Suppliers Group in September 2008 for world atomic commerce.
Though India adheres to a voluntary moratorium on nuclear
testing, it has refused to sign CTBT, terming it as
discriminatory.
However, when asked why is it that on one hand his
country wants India to sign CTBT and on the other it still
supplies defence and other equipments to it, the Minister said
"these are two different matters."
"I am very much convinced that we Germans have the best
products and reliable and it has nothing to do (with other
issue," he said.
Asserting that UN architect reflects the scenario of
post-second World War where many emerging powers such as
Africa and Asia were "under represented", he said the two
countries have agreed to stay in "close contact" with each
other on the issue of UN reforms and probably, a meeting will
take place in the next few months to work with other G-4
members to work in this direction.
Describing India as "country on the rise", both in
economic and political terms, the visiting Minister said the
projection of 9 percent growth for year and its recent
election as a non-permanent member of UNSC with overwhelming
majority speaks in "clear and telling language that India is
the country of the future".
On counter-terror cooperation, Westerwelle said Germany
was willing strengthen the ties and was willing to share
intelligence information.
