M A I N   N E W S

India, Germany call for reforms in Security Council
Satish Misra
Tribune News Service

Hannover, April 24
India and Germany today pledged to continue close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council and announced their decision to start negotiations on a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters for its early conclusion.

This was stated in a Joint Statement released late last night after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The joint statement also announced the establishment of an Indo-German Energy Forum aimed at addressing strategic energy concerns, including energy security, efficient use of energy, promotion of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly technologies, taking into account the environmental challenges of sustainable development.

On the flip side, however, Ms Merkel expressed her reluctance to relax the visa regime for Indian businessmen and professionals, citing complaints of its misuse. “There have been complaints of the misuse of the German visa,” she said at a press interaction with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last evening here after talks between the two leaders.

Ms Merkel’s candid remark comes as a dampener of sorts as both the Prime Minister as well as Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal had impressed upon her the need for liberalizing the visa regime for Indians. They were of the view that a rigid visa regime was coming in the way of enhanced trade and economic ties between the two countries as well as in the migration of Indian professionals to Germany.

The Chancellor’s “no” to the Indian requests for a liberalised visa regime has come against the backdrop of the recent controversy involving a senior IFS official, Mr Rakesh Kumar, who has been charged with facilitating the flight of a dance troupe to Germany with fake documents. Her response came to a question whether Germany could introduce a liberalised visa regime for Indian businessmen and professionals, especially in the IT sector.

The joint statement said the two countries would continue cooperating in pursuing an agreement in the UN on the comprehensive convention against international terrorism. “Both sides agree to continue close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, both through regular bilateral consultations and cooperation in the multilateral context,” it said.

A pointed reference to UN reforms is significant as both India and Germany are members of the G-4 grouping (which also comprises Japan and Brazil). “Both sides agree to continue cooperation bilaterally and in the framework of the G-4 for the strengthening of the multilateral system and reform of the UN, including the reform of the Security Council,” the statement said.

Ms Merkel today said her country was “running open doors with India” to intensify cooperation in the field of energy security. “We are running open doors with India including in the area of energy security and energy supplies. We want to build on this cooperation,” Ms Merkel said at the India-German Business Summit which she addressed along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

The German Chancellor said India is a country with a GDP growth of over seven per cent and “we trust them.” Addressing India’s concerns over growing incidence of protectionism among the EU members, Ms Merkel said attempts on protectionism in Europe should be staved off, saying “Isolation is not right for any country.”

In another development, Kingfisher Airlines today signed a one billion dollar contract with Airbus for purchase of five aircraft, which the Vijay Mallaya-owned airline will fly on the long-haul non-stop route to the US. The agreement for the purchase of five A-340-500 planes was signed between Mr Mallaya and Airbus CEO and President Guster Humbert in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the India-German Business Summit at the Hannover Fair which opened to the public today.

The other Memoranda of Understanding signed in the presence of the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor included the one between the Indian Railways and Deutsche Bahn AG, letter of intent between Force Motors Ltd and Neoman Bus Gmbh and between the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres.

Earlier, Dr Manmohan Singh and Ms Merkel jointly inaugurated the India Pavilion at the Hannover Messe (Fair), 2006 in which India is the Partner country. Both Dr Singh and Ms Merkel walked around different stalls put up by Indian companies like TVS Group, and the PSUs in the power sector. As many as 370 Indian companies are participating in the world’s largest trade fair, which began with an impressive high beam laser show combined with Kathak dancers from India.

The two countries welcomed the opening of the German Trade Office in Bangalore, saying it would further promote German trade and investment in India. They also welcomed the growing trend of Indian investments in Germany. The two sides also took note of the satisfactory progress made with regard to cooperation between the EU and India in the energy sector and the fact that the India-EU joint action Plan finalised in September 2005 at the sixth India-EU Summit in New Delhi provided for cooperation on achieving safe, secure, affordable and sustainable energy supplies.

Germany said it would place special emphasis on cooperation in science and technology with India during its Presidency of the European Union. Both sides would work towards jointly organising a Ministerial conference on Science and Technology in the first half of 2007. The two countries also took note of the ongoing cooperation in the space sector, including in the Chandrayaan project. India’s participation in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GALILEO) would be an important contribution to such cooperation.

The joint statement said the two sides agreed to actively promote their traditional cultural cooperation. India’s participation as the focus country in the ‘Bonn Biennial Art Festival’ in May and as the Guest of Honour in this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair were important events to further deepen the cultural ties between the two countries. 

Hannover Diary
Indian technology showcased
Satish Misra

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here on a relatively sunny day after launching the Indian Pavilion jointly with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Spread over 11,000 sq mt, the Indian pavilion showcases the growing Indian might in the field of technology, science and other industries.

India is a partner country this year at the famous Hannover industrial fair. India is a partner country after a gap of 21 years. The Indian pavilion ranges from the symbol of Jantar Mantar to achievements in space where successful missions of putting satellites into orbit have been displayed.

Going around the Indian pavilion, both leaders stopped at TVS and then went to VPL systems whose Chairman announced that they have perfected a laser welding technology which can help lay a 5-km-long pipeline in a single day. He said confidently that this could be achieved with the help of 10 workers. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor were impressed but there were murmurs that the technology would neither be successful in Germany nor India as strong labour unions would not allow it to deliver results.

Naval Band, bhangra at show

The show was livened by the music of the Naval Band which was specially flown to Hannover. While the band played popular tunes, a bhangra group was performing to the pleasure of German visitors. Two elephants stood at the gate of Hall 6 where the Indian show would go on.

After two days of rains, sun came out as the Prime Minister arrived in the company of the German Chancellor to inaugurate the Indian pavilion.

Media takes note

Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said the exposure at such fairs proved that India was arriving at the world economic scene in a big way. He said India’s showcasing at Davos this year was the beginning. In May, India will showcase in Japan during the Asia Summit of the World Economic Forum.

German news media has taken note of the Prime Minister’s visit seriously. While earlier, such visits would be either be totally ignored or would appear on the inside pages, this time, the visit is being pictured on the front pages and TV channels are showing clips of Dr Singh’s interactions with German leaders.

The joint launch of the Hannover fair by Dr Singh and Mrs Merkel was shown live on Sunday evening.

Germany not against Indo-US N-deal
Satish Misra
Tribune News Service

Berlin, April 24
Germany today sought to make its position on the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement saying that the confusion was because of the timing of the agreement as it would have created some misconception in the negotiation with Iran.

German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeir made his country’s position during his 45-minute long call-on meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here. Mr Steinmeir admitted that there was some confusing reports about his remarks in Washington which he wanted to clarify.

The confusion was because of timing as it was felt that it may create some misconception in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, the minister said. There was no reservation about the substance of the agreement instead “we saw great advantage in it as it would bring India closer to the IAEA,” he pointed out and added that “Germany would ask constructive questions at the IAEA and hope to receive constructive answers.”

Mr Steinmeir further said that there was no question of comparing India with any other country as it was being sought to be projected that Berlin was comparing New Delhi with Tehran.

The Prime Minister told Mr Steinmeir about India’s impeccable record in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and recent steps to put regulations on nuclear export. Dr Singh also explained the Indo-US agreement in the context of country energy requirements.

The Prime Minister gave an overview of the direction of Indo-German relations and underlined the scope for deepening of ties in the field of infrastructure.

In response to the German minister’s query, the Prime Minister gave a briefing on regional issues like situation in Nepal, Afghanistan and development in the fields of Indo-Pakistan and Sino-Indian relations.

Mr Steinmeir said that he was keen to come to India and possibly he would be in India in the second week of August. Germany was keen to broaden ties with India in all fields not only in the economic area, he said.

The German Minister expressed happiness over the Prime Minister’s presence at the Hannover trade fair in which India is a partner country after a gap of 21 years.

PM sets up Narmada oversight group
Satish Misra
Tribune News Service

Berlin, April 24
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today approved the setting up of a three-member Sardar Sarovar Project for Relief and Rehabilitation Oversight Group led by former Comptroller and Auditor-General V. K. Singlu to submit its reports in three months from the time it resumes work.

Announcing the setting up of the group on his way to Berlin, Prime Minister’s media adviser Sanjay Baru said the group had been asked to conduct a sample survey to ascertain the status of rehabilitation and gather the following facts: total number of families affected by submergence; total number of families who have not been rehabilitated and have not received relief as per the norms; to verify whatever alternative land was offered to oustees and whether it is true that they were offered the land and they did not take it and they voluntarily refused to do so.

Minister leaves for fair

Chandigarh, April 24
The Union Minister of State for Industry, Dr Ashwani Kumar, left for Germany today to represent India at the Hanover trade fair, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on April 22.

The fair is one of the largest technology fair in which around 350 Indian engineering, machine tools, automotives and electronic companies are taking part.

Dr Ashwani Kumar will address the session on legal and taxation aspects of starting business in India and industry sub-contracting in India on April 25 and 27, respectively. — TNS