German Foreign Minister to Meet Jaishankar Today, Discussion Likely on India's Relations With China, Russia

India’s relationship with China and the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are set to figure in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday.

Baerbock is arriving here on Monday morning on a two-day visit.

A statement released by the German embassy said Baerbock is travelling to India against the background of the global consequences of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

During the two-day inaugural visit, cooperation in the energy transition away from oil, coal and gas will also play a role, a spokesman for Germany’s Federal Foreign Office said in Berlin.

In this context, Baerbock will visit projects for renewable energies and sustainability in the rural surroundings of New Delhi, the embassy said.

“In Baerbock’s talks with her Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s relationship with China is likely to be discussed in addition to the Russian war against Ukraine and its consequences, for example in the energy sector,” it said.

According to the spokesperson, the minister will also visit the Election Commission of India.

“Meetings are also planned with representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations working for women’s rights. India, the world’s largest democracy, took over the presidency of the G20 group of leading economic powers on December 1,” the statement said.

Jaishankar in a tweet said, “Good to meet German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann today afternoon. Welcome his enthusiasm for expanding India-Germany relations.”

The spokesperson added that the minister will also participate in a trilateral India forum of the transatlantic foundation German Marshall Fund, which is about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The forum is an annual meeting of American, European and Indian experts from politics, think tanks and business at different locations. It has developed into a leading platform for transatlantic and European dialogue with India.

India and Germany have completed the inter-governmental talks on development cooperation. In May, Germany and India updated their cooperation to a new level by establishing a partnership on Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP), signed by PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to German Embassy in India.

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