India and Germany on Monday signed several bilateral agreements focusing on sustainable development and according to the agreement, India will get 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion) by 2030 to promote the use of clean energy. The agreements were signed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Berlin.
The agreements range from technical assistance to increasing the use of renewable energy and hydrogen, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity and improving agricultural land use. Other areas of cooperation center on migration, nuclear research and establishment of secure communication channels between the two governments
During the meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sought India’s support for the tough stand taken by Europe and the United States towards Russia over the war in Ukraine. Modi, however, clarified his stand that both Russia and Ukraine should end the fighting and said, “We believe that no party can emerge victorious in this war.”
Modi avoided any open criticism of Moscow, which had earlier praised India for its “neutral” stand on the conflict.
Journalists were not allowed to ask questions after the two leaders spoke – an unusual arrangement at the German Chancellor where at least four questions are taken regularly. The decision was taken at the request of the Indian delegation, said a German official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Scholz also invited India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to attend a meeting of the Group of Seven Major Industrialized Economies in Germany in late June.