ID :
146626
Tue, 10/19/2010 - 16:12
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http://m.oananews.org//node/146626
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India-Germany ink MoU on celebrating Year of Germany in India
New Delhi, Oct 19, IRNA – India and Germany inked an Memorandum of Understanding (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.
The MoU was signed after visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle held delegational level talks with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna on Monday in New Delhi.
During the discussions, besides expansion of UNSC, both sides also focused on enhanced counter-terror cooperation, climate change and intensification of economic and defence ties, pti reported. Westerwelle said the two sides also discussed non-proliferation and disarmament, maintaining that both were 'two sides' of the same coin.
At a press conference held after the talks, German Foreign Minister spoke of 'signs' that India 'could be' prepared to sign Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) but did not elaborate.
He noted that Germany would like to encourage India to move even closer to international non-proliferation system and said '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.'
The minister made these remarks towards conclusion of his interaction with journalists but left before he could be questioned for the basis of his comments.
Westerwelle, who arrived here on Sunday on a three-day India visit, also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Noting that India was not a member of Non-proliferation Treaty, he said 'we acknowledge its efforts to support non-proliferation.' 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 Germany wants India to sign CTBT and on the other it 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 issues,' he said.
The minister said India and Germany have 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./end
The MoU was signed after visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle held delegational level talks with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna on Monday in New Delhi.
During the discussions, besides expansion of UNSC, both sides also focused on enhanced counter-terror cooperation, climate change and intensification of economic and defence ties, pti reported. Westerwelle said the two sides also discussed non-proliferation and disarmament, maintaining that both were 'two sides' of the same coin.
At a press conference held after the talks, German Foreign Minister spoke of 'signs' that India 'could be' prepared to sign Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) but did not elaborate.
He noted that Germany would like to encourage India to move even closer to international non-proliferation system and said '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.'
The minister made these remarks towards conclusion of his interaction with journalists but left before he could be questioned for the basis of his comments.
Westerwelle, who arrived here on Sunday on a three-day India visit, also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Noting that India was not a member of Non-proliferation Treaty, he said 'we acknowledge its efforts to support non-proliferation.' 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 Germany wants India to sign CTBT and on the other it 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 issues,' he said.
The minister said India and Germany have 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./end
