Latest news with #ArminLaschet
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
We understand the necessity of why India took action: Jurgen Hardt
Berlin [Germany], June 6 (ANI): In a key diplomatic engagement, an Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad held wide-ranging discussions in Berlin with members of the German Bundestag and representatives from leading think tanks, deepening strategic cooperation and mutual understanding. One of the standout voices during the dialogue was Jurgen Hardt, Member of the German Parliament and Spokesperson for Foreign Policy of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, who strongly addressed regional threats emanating from Pakistan and the need for peaceful conflict resolution. 'We see the terror threat coming from Pakistan and we have asked the Pakistani government to eliminate terror groups in their country. We hope for a peaceful solution. We encourage the Indian government to do it diplomatically. Hopefully, the conflict between India and Pakistan can be calmed,' Hardt stated. Referring to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he added, 'It was a terrible attack on several people. I hope India finds a way to install a mechanism to resolve such conflicts peacefully, but we understand the necessity of why India took action.' The meeting with German lawmakers, including Armin Laschet, Ralph Brinkhaus, Hubertus Heil, and Omid Nouripour, reaffirmed the growing convergence between India and Germany on regional security and counterterrorism. Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag, expressed solidarity with India and called for the preservation of peace and dialogue. 'We also discussed the brutal 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam. I'm deeply shocked. Germany stands with India in the fight against terrorism. Now it's vital the ceasefire holds and dialogue continues. Peace serves us all,' Laschet said in a statement. The Indian Embassy in Germany confirmed the series of engagements, noting that the delegation 'conveyed India's unwavering united stand for Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and outlined its resolve to not give in to nuclear blackmail.' The embassy also noted that leaders on both sides 'recognised momentum in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and joint role in ensuring global Peace and Security.' Vice President of the German Bundestag, Omid Nouripour, also hosted the delegation and highlighted the need for stronger cooperation amidst current global challenges. He acknowledged India's rising role in ensuring security and appreciated the delegation's outreach. Reflecting on the significance of the meetings, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad remarked, 'A very good meeting with Vice Chairman of this majestic Parliament. We exchanged views on terrorism, he was very forthright. Terrorism is a global curse and also appreciated India's efforts to give security to its people and globally, we need to work together in the field of terrorism and also good economic cooperation between these two great countries. Germany is a big economic powerhouse in the world. India is a big economic powerhouse in the world.' With high-level participation across parties and institutions, the visit reinforced the shared values and mutual trust that underpin the India-Germany relationship. From counterterrorism and nuclear restraint to economic engagement and geopolitical dialogue, both sides signalled a clear commitment to a rules-based global order and a collaborative future. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"India is most affected by terror attacks...we have to stand together": German parliamentarian to all-party delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad
Berlin [Germany], June 6 (ANI): An all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met with German parliamentarians, including Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the German Bundestag, Ralph Brinkhaus, Member of the German Bundestag and Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Berlin on Friday. The discussions focused on deepening cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism and economic partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and democratic values. Both sides emphasised the need for global cooperation to combat terrorism, with Nouripour highlighting India's experience with terror attacks and the importance of standing together against extremism. 'India is most affected by terror attacks, and extremism is undermining the security of the people and the trust in democracy & institutions. So, we have to stand together. These days, we have to stand on the side of the people of India and help without any escalation, so that the country is kept safe, like our colleagues are working hard for,' said Nouripour. He said that the meeting was fruitful and grateful and expressed his happiness over the exchange and potential for deeper cooperation, highlighting the importance of defending democracy and freedom. 'The meeting was very fruitful and very grateful. I am honoured to receive so many fellow members of the Parliament from the great place of India. As a friend of this country, I am happy that we could exchange. There is even more potential for deeper cooperation, but especially these days, India has been attacked, Russia and Ukraine have attacked the European order. It is time to team up and cooperate. If we can assist, it's needful because together we can defend our democracy, our freedom,' he added. According to the Indian Embassy in Germany, the delegation met Laschet, Brinkhaus, and Hubertus Heil, Member of the Bundestag and former Minister of Labour and Social Security. During the exchange, Indian representatives conveyed the nation's 'unwavering united stand for Zero Tolerance for Terrorism' and clearly outlined their resolve 'to not give in to nuclear blackmail.' The discussions also touched on the growing momentum in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, with both sides recognising their joint role in ensuring global peace and security. The post on X read, 'The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met Mr. Armin Laschet, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag, Mr. Ralph Brinkhaus, MdB and Mr. Hubertus Heil, MdB.& former Minister of Labour & Social Security on 6 June 2025. The delegation conveyed India's unwavering united stand for Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and outlined its resolve to not give in to nuclear blackmail. Leaders noted momentum in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and joint role in ensuring global Peace and Security.' Prasad and the German parliamentarians discussed opportunities for economic partnership, leveraging Germany's economic strength and India's growing economy. Armin Laschet also condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and peace in the region through continued dialogue. Posting on X, he said that he was 'grateful' for the meeting with the Indian delegation and underscored the strength of the India-Germany partnership, particularly on matters of global security. He wrote, 'Grateful for today's exchange with the Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation. Germany and India share a trusted partnership, especially on global security. We also discussed the brutal 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam. I'm deeply shocked. Germany stands with India in the fight against terrorism. Now it's vital the ceasefire holds and dialogue continues. Peace serves us all.' In his public remarks in Berlin, Laschet said, 'This is a very important moment in the geopolitical situation. We are happy to have India, a close friend of Germany, here in Berlin. I am deeply shocked at the brutal terrorist attacks on 22 April in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and their families. We strongly condemn the attack on civilians. Germany and Europe stand close to India, and we support your fight against terrorism. The current truce is encouraging. It is important that this calm is maintained and that dialogue continues. Stability and peace in the region are in everyone's interests. That is what we want to discuss.' Speaking after the meetings, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad called the interactions valuable and candid. 'A very good meeting with the Vice Chairman of this majestic Parliament. We exchanged views on terrorism, he was very forthright. Terrorism is a global curse, and India's efforts to give security to its people are appreciated. Globally, we need to work together in the field of terrorism, and also, there needs to be good economic cooperation between these two great countries. Germany is a big economic powerhouse in the world. India is a big economic powerhouse in the world,' he said. The high-level engagement comes amid a complex global environment shaped by regional conflicts, rising security threats, and a pressing need for democratic nations to reinforce cooperation. Both sides reiterated that mutual trust, shared democratic values, and coordinated efforts on counterterrorism and economic growth are central to their evolving partnership. With strong condemnations of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and renewed emphasis on regional peace and dialogue, the visit reflects the growing importance of India-Germany relations, with both countries seeking to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest. (ANI)
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top German lawmaker: Public criticism of Israel has 'zero' effect
Public criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza by the country's allies has had "zero" effect in protecting Palestinian lives, a leading German foreign policy official said on Monday. Armin Laschet told broadcaster ZDF that a joint statement issued last week by Britain, France and Canada calling Israel's escalation of military activity in Gaza "disproportionate" had no impact in ending the conflict or ensuring humanitarian aid could reach the territory. Laschet, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, said the new conservative-led government's "quiet diplomacy" and "clear words" to Israel were "more effective than constant resolutions and pithy slogans." Germany has taken a more cautious approach than other EU states in criticizing Israel during the war in Gaza, which broke out in 2023 following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Berlin sees Israeli security as a "reason of state" due to Germany's historic responsibility for the Holocaust. However, Laschet insisted that the term "doesn't mean you can't criticize Israel, you can't demand aid deliveries, you can't criticize the prime minister." "You can do all that," said Laschet. "You can also say that the government has right-wing extremist ministers, you can also say that the war aims are wrong." The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, expressed a similar view on Monday in an interview with the rbb radio station. "We must learn to distinguish between the actions of the Israeli government and Israel as a whole, there are big differences," said Klein. However, he rejected a call by centre-left lawmakers in the Bundestag to end German arms exports to Israel.
