German Elections Will Not Affect India Relations, States…

Ambassador Philipp Ackermann stated that the recent German elections will not affect foreign policy, asserting ongoing efforts to enhance relations with India. Despite concerns over migration in Germany, legal migration from India is vital for the workforce, with increased interest in Indian professionals and students. Trade relations between Germany and India are anticipated to strengthen amid rising bilateral engagement, further emphasizing Germany’s commitment to fostering partnerships.

German ambassador Philipp Ackermann has asserted that the recent German election results, including the rise of the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, will not influence the nation’s foreign policy towards India. He emphasized that the German government will continue to strengthen its partnership with India, even amidst domestic challenges related to migration. Ackermann acknowledged Germany’s positive experiences with Indian professionals and students, anticipating growth in this area despite societal unease concerning migration issues.

In discussing the significance of the election, Ackermann noted an impressive voter turnout of 82.5%, indicating public interest in Germany’s future. He remarked that the AfD’s representation of 20.8% will lead to challenging dialogues in Parliament, complicating coalition formation for the newly elected Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He highlighted the CDU’s exclusion of collaboration with both AfD and the Left Party, anticipating the return of a coalition similar to that under former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Ambassador Ackermann expressed confidence that the new government, led by CDU’s Friedrich Merz, will maintain Germany’s foreign policy direction, particularly the commitment to India evident in the “Focus on India” document. He noted that even amid rising tensions with the United States, Germany remains committed to strengthening trade relations with India, advocating for progress in Free Trade Agreement negotiations, which have stalled before.

Acknowledging rising hesitance regarding immigration, Ackermann assured that legal migration from India remains crucial for Germany’s workforce. He emphasized that Germany’s migration policy differentiates between legal and illegal immigration, with plans for increased legal migration continuing. The ambassador remarked on public fears surrounding migration; acknowledging such concerns will be a government priority while assuring economic demands necessitate ongoing migration policies.

With a growth in the number of Indian students in Germany, increasing from 260,000 to 280,000 in recent years, ambassador Ackermann reported a rising interest in visas for Indian professionals. He noted that experiences with Indian workers are notably positive and welcomed, highlighting consistent annual increases in student visas. As bilateral trade exceeds $30 billion, he observed a renewed interest in foreign investments within India, particularly in research, development, and production sectors.

As related to the Ukraine conflict, Ackermann mentioned the limited European involvement but stressed that Europe must be included in negotiations due to substantial investments in Ukraine. He observed that India could play a neutral role in facilitating dialogue between conflicting sides. While advocating for Ukraine’s involvement in discussions, he recognized the need for clarity and fairness in negotiations to achieve peace.

In conclusion, ambassador Philipp Ackermann reaffirmed that the recent elections in Germany will not detract from the nation’s strategic partnership with India. Growth in legal migration and a commitment to improve bilateral trade highlight Germany’s ongoing prioritization of relationships with Indian professionals and students. Despite challenges posed by rising right-wing sentiment and the ongoing Ukraine crisis, Germany will pursue improved cooperation with India and maintain its foreign policy direction.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com