German Chancellor Olaf Scholz concluded his trip to India on Saturday having signed 27 new cooperation agreements with the South Asian country.
In his final events, the chancellor spoke to students in the western state of Goa before paying tribute to German sailors currently circumnavigating the globe.
Scholz was accompanied on his three-day visit by several cabinet ministers, signing agreements expanding cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, research and defence during government consultations in New Delhi.
Scholz also advocated for skilled workers for the German labour market and pressed for swifter EU negotiations with India over a free trade agreement.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi summed up the state of relations between the two countries in German with the succinct phrase: “Alles klar, alles gut,” which is the equivalent of “It’s all good.”
With more than 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is the most populous country and the fifth largest economy in the world.
Scholz – who was visiting India for the third time in his nearly three-year tenure – said there was “plenty of potential” for trade and investment between the two countries.
Scholz thanks sailors in Goa and backs arms exports
The Frankfurt am Main naval supply ship and the Baden-Württemberg frigate – both part of the German Navy – arrived in Goa on Saturday after days of joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
Scholz said the ships are contributing to ensuring the freedom of global maritime traffic.
“It’s important that our navy is involved in this to show that it is something that we strive for together,” the chancellor said.
The two ships departed Germany’s North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven on May 7, crossed the Atlantic and passed the Panama Canal to the Pacific.
They then passed through the Taiwan Strait, before entering Mormugao Port in Goa on Saturday.
Having concluded a strategic partnership more than 20 years ago, Germany and India and are now aiming to intensify their cooperation, including in arms exports.
“This will play a larger role in the future, and it is right that it should,” Scholz said.
Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is hoping to participate in the construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy. While a declaration of intent was agreed last year, the Indian government is yet to make a decision.
European aerospace giant Airbus is also seeking to sell its A400M transports to India. Negotiations on a possible contract are still in the early stages.
Scholz speaks of difficulties in Germany’s coalition
The chancellor also commented on relations within Germany during his trip, ruefully acknowledging the difficulties in managing Germany’s unwieldy three-party coalition in response to a question from a student in Goa on Saturday.
“Sometimes it is quite difficult. And I will be very honest: The coalition government I am running is not the easiest in the world,” Scholz said while on a visit to a technology institute.
“I try my best,” he added with a laugh.
