Reform UN Security Council: India, Germany

Hannover, Apr 24 : Pledging to continue close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, India and Germany have decided to start negotiations on a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters for its early conclusion and called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council.

In a joint statement, the two countries said they 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,'' the joint statement added.

The document was released here last night after extensive talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including bilateral cooperation and the international situation.

Both India and Germany, members of the G-4 grouping (which also comprises Japan and Brazil), reiterated their demand that they must get permanent seats in the UN Security Council. ''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,'' they said.

In the bilateral context, the two countries said trade, investment, scientific and technological collaboration, including in the areas of infrastructure and energy and high technology areas such as space, formed an important basis for the partenship between them.

''Both sides aim to further deepen their strategic and security dialogue and will work towards an agreement on bilateral defence cooperation.'' On economic cooperation, the joint statement noted that economic and trade relations between the two countries had flourished in recent years. India's participation as the partner country at the Hannover Trade Fair reflected the growing interest in India as a global economic partner and offered an excellent opportunity to intensify bilateral economic ties. Infrastructure and energy provided major areas of deepening engagement between the two countries.

The joint statement said the Indo-German Joint Commission on Industrial and Economic cooperation would continue to focus on specific areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.

''Both sides note with satisfaction that bilateral trade is growing rapidly and that the target of doubling the trade within five years, which was set up in October 2004, is likely to be achieved much earlier,'' it said.

The two countries recognised the role of the small and medium enterprises in further promoting trade, investment and technology links and agreed to facilitate intensification of linkages of such enterprises.

UNI

Related Stories
India-Germany trade poised to cross 10 bn Euros
Germany stops short of supporting Indo-US nuke deal
Fully back Indo-US nuke deal: PM asks Germany