‘Concerned’ over India-China border tensions, says Germany’s NSA Plötner

In India, Plötner spoke of synergy within the fields of renewables and local weather, as additionally cooperation within the migration of a talented Indian workforce to Germany. On world points, Dr. Plötner raised considerations over meals safety owing to the Russia-Ukraine warfare.

A file picture of Germany’s NSA Plötner (Facebook)

By Geeta Mohan: Ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s go to to India later this month, when the Russia-Ukraine warfare marks one yr, Germany’s Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the Chancellor, Dr. Jens Plötner is in New Delhi. Speaking to journalists on Monday, he mentioned, “The go to is for a particular objective, as a result of we’re getting ready for an upcoming go to of the German Chancellor.”

The Chancellor’s visit is likely to take place on February 25 and 26, 2023. The two sides are yet to officially announce the visit. However, it would come just a day after February 24, when Putin led Russia to initiate a war against Ukraine last year.

He emphasised that Delhi’s voice is ‘heard’ clearly and ‘listened to’ in Moscow, which makes it all the more important.

While focusing on bilateral cooperation, Plötner spoke of synergy in the fields of renewables and climate, as also cooperation in the migration of the skilled Indian workforce to Germany. He did recognise the delays in visa issuance and that they have been trying to rectify the situation.

Calling it a ‘classic triple win’ situation, he said, “Germany is in want of a workforce and we’ve got had extraordinarily optimistic experiences with Indians coming over to Germany, first to check after which to work, or on to work. So, how can we foster this space of cooperation? This is a traditional triple-win scenario and one which we wish to develop.”

“We contemplate India a associate of values. It’s a democracy, we imagine within the voice of the folks, rule of legislation and respect for human rights. We love working with India and contemplate it the cornerstone of our worldwide relations,” said the German Chancellor’s Security Advisor.

On global issues, Dr. Plötner raised concerns over food security owing to the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Ukraine is the third largest grain exporter on the planet. We have vitality costs skyrocketing, inflation is skyrocketing. All these world penalties are due to the warfare Russia is waging. But, it additionally has a extra summary consequence. That is {that a} everlasting member of the Security Council has determined to violate the constitution of the United Nations by invading a rustic just because it might probably and since it’s smaller. That can’t go unchecked, in any other case, the world would change into a jungle. If not the rule of legislation, the rule of the strongest would prevail.”

Germany is to send their Leopard tanks to Ukraine to enhance their war capability against the Russians.

The official confirmed that training for the Ukrainian forces had already begun. Delivery of the tanks would depend on how swiftly the training goes.

“The tanks are ready and the only thing that needs to take place is training. We ourselves provide the equivalent of a company or squadron. We are working together with European partners to provide two battalions of Leopard tanks,” he mentioned.

Speaking of conflicts and tensions, to a query in regards to the scenario on the India-China border, he mentioned, “We see with concern the border tensions (between India and China). This is not an area where arms should speak, but where dialogue is needed. I see the willingness on the Indian side to engage.”

“China is a very important global player, so there is hardly any diplomatic discussion that does not at one point turn to China. Our view on China is that it is a big country, it is a powerful country and it aspires quite naturally to play a role in the global scene. Our conviction is the bigger the country, the bigger the aspirations and the more responsibility you take upon yourself to uphold the rules of international law. In our dialogues with China, this is something we quite regularly highlight,” mentioned Dr. Plötner.

“We consider China as a competitor in the economic field, but there is no level-playing field here. There is systemic rivalry from the position we share with the European Union. But, we also feel that there is cooperation needed with China to tackle some of the global challenges like climate change or biodiversity. These are challenges we can only solve with China,” he added.

Plötner met his counterpart, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and exchanged views on the scenario in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

A spread of points was mentioned and either side recognized local weather change, financial potential and geopolitics because the three main areas of potential cooperation.

Published On:

Feb 14, 2023