German Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor
Dr. Guido Westerwelle visiting India
UNSC and global challenges high on the agenda
Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor Dr. Guido Westerwelle will be visiting India from October 17 to October 19, 2010.
On his first visit to India since assuming office in October 2009, Dr. Westerwelle will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Mr. S.M. Krishna to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Minister’s visit comes close on the heels of Germany and India's election as non-permanent members to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India and Germany have been pushing for reforms in the UNSC. The visit will pave way for both the countries to give a fresh impetus to this issue.
Germany and India also aim to strengthen their cooperation in tackling various global challenges. Minister Westerwelle said, “We are convinced that India, as a valuable partner in the United Nations and in the G 20, should, according to its weight, play an active and decisive role in this globalised, multipolar world. We would like to cooperate with India on many fields. The challenges lying ahead of us are manifold – climate change, international security as well as the resolution of regional conflicts. These are also subjects I would like to discuss with Indian partners.”
The German Minister will meet Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma and will also call on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He is also scheduled to call on Congress President Ms. Sonia Gandhi.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Year of Germany in India in 2011-2012 and a Year of India in Germany in 2012-2013 is slated to be signed in the presence of the two foreign ministers. The celebrations over these two years will mark 60 years of Indo-German diplomatic partnership.
Under the motto ‘Infinite Opportunities – Germany and India 2011-2012’, the German year will be celebrated with events across India. With this series, Germany aims to present itself as an innovative, creative partner for India in resolving challenges of the future. With this in mind, the theme ‘StadtRäume – CitySpaces’ was chosen as the focus of the event series. It encompasses all facets of urban development—mobility, migration, water, energy, sustainable development, architecture, engineering, education, cultural infrastructure, social issues and many more.
On October 18, the Minister will deliver a speech at the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D), on ‘Common challenges, shared answers – Using the opportunities of the century together’.
Speaking on India and its importance in the global scenario, the Minister said, “The perception of India – not only in Germany - has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, we perceive India, the world's largest democracy, as a rising global power full of opportunities, politically as well as in the economic sector.”
On Tuesday, October 19, Dr Westerwelle will pay homage at the Gandhi Smriti. He will be greeted by Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, the grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi. Here he will also participate in a discussion with intellectuals on ‘India and Germany – partners in a globalised world’. The other panelists include well-known personalities like Prof. Amitabh Matoo and Prof. Sudha Pai, professors at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Also present would be Urvashi Butalia, writer and publisher, Dr Harinder Sekhon, Senior Fellow at the Observer research Foundation; and media persons Pramit Pal Chaudhri and Swapan Dasgupta.
Dr. Westerwelle will be accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, comprising members of the Bundestag (German Parliament), leading business personalities and media persons.
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