New Delhi: Germany’s Minister of State for Federal Foreign Office, Tobias Linder emphasised the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity and said, “We are convinced that the member of United Nations and the permanent members of the Security Council bear special responsibility for protecting and preserving the one and unique rule-based international order. Therefore, for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries is key and we conceived with respect to Taiwan, the South China Sea and border dispute with India is concerning.”

He was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue which concluded on February 23. He called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the dispute, stating, “We are conceived that any dispute needs to be solved peacefully and with mutual consent.”

German Minister Lindner’s remarks coincided with global scrutiny of China’s actions and their implications for the existing global order. Similarly, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken had recently warned against China’s “attempts to coerce and bully” other countries.

The Minister highlighted Germany’s cautious approach to arms exports and said, “Traditionally Germany is very reluctant, very carefully giving permissions regarding arms export but it is not directed against India as a country. I can tell you the volume of the export’s permissions have gone up 7 percent from 2018. We do a case-by-case checking.”

Linder also mentioned the ongoing consultations on the submarine deal with India. With regards to the Red Sea issue, the German minister stated the importance of freedom of navigation. He stated, “We share the same interest. The freedom of navigation is key not only for economic infrastructure but for more. I am aware that India has deployed ships to the regions and Germany is deploying frigates at the moment. I am hopeful that we will get approval in our Parliament session for the mission offered to armed forces in the Red Sea in protecting the freedom of navigation.”

“Germany and India might have a different voting way in the UN but we share a common interest. I am aware of the India-Russia relationship. India is trying to diversify. There are signals from Delhi to cooperate with other countries…,” the German Minister Linder noted.

Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine war, the minister said, “We understand that the Russian invasion in Ukraine has global repercussions and implications, including in the Indo-Pacific region. Whether it’s food pricing or security issues like the NSE, India is affected. Therefore, I can assure you that we are aware that our own security and prosperity are intertwined with the security and stability of this region.”