Berlin: In a stern message to Pakistan, Germany has 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 in Berlin last night.
"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 from Brussels on 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.Chancellor Merkel replied in the negative when asked if there was a "trust deficit" that was preventing Germany to lift restrictions on Technology Transfer to India.
"There is no trust deficit. We are taking our strategic cooperation seriously. There is a positive development in military to military cooperation," she said.
Merkel said Prime Minister Singh's visit to Brussels for the India-EU summit has given a push for the negotiations in finalising the ambitious bilateral trade and investment agreement.
With the agreement in the last stage of negotiations, both India and the EU need to make compromises to ensure that the path-breaking pact is finalised by March-April next.
Merkel said India and Germany will work to advance reforms in the UN Security Council. "Now that India and Germany have got non-permanent membership the two countries will have interest in seeing that reforms advanced."
The Chancellor noted that India was getting endorsement of several countries in its quest for a permanent membership in the UNSC. She, especially, referred to the US President Barack Obama's support for India's bid.Prime Minister Singh said both India and Germany will work hard to advance the UNSC reforms.PTI
