Jaishankar, GERMAN counterpart DISCUSS TERRORISM FROM PAKISTAN

Cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and China’s ‘challenging’ posturing in the Indo-Pacific and other regions figured prominently during the meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock here on Monday. The two ministers also discussed the Ukraine conflict and its fallout, Afghanistan and other key global challenges. Jaishankar defended India’s decision to import
oil from Russia.
At the joint press conference after the meeting, Jaishankar said, “The European governments understand India’s position on Russian oil.

I wish the European media would get it too.” Defending India’s import of crude oil from Moscow, Jaishankar also noted that it is largely driven by market forces.
“The European Union imported more fossil fuel – oil, gas and coal – from Russia than the next 10 countries combined. There is a finite amount of energy resources and Europe can’t make choices to prioritise its energy needs while asking India to do something else,” Jaishankar said. In a message to the western countries, the EAM said that “Our trade with Russia is small, while most European countries have multiple times trade.”
Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian that the visiting German FM did not say anything that could be indicative of Berlin having any objection to India purchasing Russian oil. Annalena Baerbock described India as a role model for many countries and noted that Berlin wants to bolster its security cooperation with New Delhi. India and Germany also inked a mobility partnership pact. Significantly, Baerbock in an interview with a newspaper said,

“We understand India’s economic constraints on Russian sanctions, oil price cap.”
In what is being viewed as her attempt to put to rest the controversy created over her support to Pakistan’s bid to internationalise the Kashmir issue, the German FM ahead of the Delhi visit reversed position on ‘Kashmir dispute’ and ‘UN role’ saying that it is a ‘bilateral issue’ between New Delhi and Islamabad.
When asked about challenges facing the region from China, Baerbock said that there is a need to assess the threats while describing Beijing as a competitor and rival in many ways. Sources said that the German FM assured Jaishankar of all necessary cooperation from Berlin to deal with challenges that China is posing in the Indo-Pacific and in other geographies. Her stress on ramping up security cooperation with India is being seen in context of Germany’s intention to focus more on Chinese challenges.
Jaishankar confirmed that the situation in Afghanistan and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan figured in talks. Jaishankar categorically said that there cannot be talks with Pakistan if it continues cross-border terrorism.
Sources said that the two ministers comprehensively discussed the issue of terror groups rearing their heads again in Afghanistan, with the Taliban region leaving a lot to be desired in the fight against the terror elements. The German FM shared India’s concern over terrorism emanating from the territory under control of Pakistan, sources said.
Baerbock arrived in India this morning on a two-day visit, four days after India formally took over the presidency of the G-20 grouping.
“We discussed multilateral issues, including the UNSC reforms and India’s presidency of the G20. We connected on the G4 format as well. I know that Germany supports India’s bid for permanent membership of the UNSC,” Jaishankar said, adding, “We had a fairly extensive discussion on Afghanistan and Pakistan. A lot of conversation on Afghanistan was with regards to the situation on the ground.”
“Regarding Pakistan, I spent some time outlining the nature of our ties with the country and our concerns over cross-border terrorism. We cannot have talks while there is terrorism and I think there was understanding from their side,” he added.
On Ukraine, Jaishankar said that India’s position on the issue is clear, that this is not an era of war and that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue.
“The Russian war in Ukraine has put the whole world in a difficult condition. I would like to explicitly thank you for taking the Presidency of the G20. You will shape with great responsibility,” Annalena Baerbock said.
“India is taking this Presidency at a challenging time. Climate change is putting livelihoods under threat. The G20 is not only responsible for 80% of the emissions but also has a major part in the damage to the climate. To help India build its energy transition, last week we made 10 billion Euros available till 2030. In addition to the climate crisis, we also spoke about regional challenges,” Baerbock added.
On the signing of the mobility pact between India and Germany, Jaishnakar said it is a strong signal of basis for a more contemporary bilateral partnership. The pact will make it easier for people to study, do research and work in each other’s country.