Berlin: In a stern message to Pakistan,
Germany on Saturday made it clear that terrorism is not a means to
solve political problems and this is "unacceptable".
The concerns over terrorism figured during
wide-ranging talks Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had with
German Chancellor Angela Merkel here.
"It has been made clear to Pakistan that terrorism is
not a means to an end to solve political problems. It is
unacceptable," Merkel said at a joint press interaction with
Singh.
The Prime Minister said that both sides discussed the
possibility of entering into bilateral cooperation in civil
nuclear energy.
If this crystalises, Germany will follow the US,
France and some other countries for civil nuclear cooperation
with India.
Singh said India deeply valued Germany's consistent
support in the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group for the
opening of international commerce for New Delhi in the field
of civil nuclear energy.
Both the leaders said that India and Germany will work
hard together to advance UN Security Council reforms for
expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats.
Both India and Germany will assume non-permanent seats
in the Security Council from January 1, 2011 for a two-year
period.
The two sides agreed to enhance bilateral trade from
the present level of 13 euro billion to 20 billion euros by
2012.
On his part Singh said relaxation of German export
control laws will bring in a new horizon for expanding
bilateral trade.
The Prime Minister said there are no bilateral
irritants in the excellent Indo-German relations and "we
believe sky is the limit for their cooperation".
Singh said he has invited Merkel to visit India next
year.
He said India will play its part in arriving at a
pragmatic and balanced solution within the framework of the UN
Framework Convention for Climate Change.
"The world must continue to build upon the progress
that has been made at the Cancun conference", Singh said.
Merkel said Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh
has made an "important contribution" at the Cancun conference.
Singh flew in here from Brussels Saturday after attending
the India-European Union summit for a working visit to Germany
at the invitation of Merkel.
Germany is India's largest trading partner in the
27-nation European Union with bilateral trade growing in the
recent years to reach 13.4 billion Euros in 2008.
Bilateral trade decreased marginally to 13.09 billion
Euro but has revived and is growing by over 15 per cent and
has reached 9.80 billion Euro during January-August 2010.
Ahead of the talks, Prime Minister Singh said India's
engagement with Germany is strong and multi-faceted.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 12:54