Despite differing with India on the bombing of Libya and selection of a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief, Germany will seek to enhance its ties with India through a new format when its Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives here on May 31.
For the first time, Dr. Merkel will be accompanied by five Cabinet Ministers for what is billed as ‘Indo-German Intergovernmental Consultations,' a departure for Berlin from the plain bilateral format when interacting with countries other than the U.S., Israel and some European countries.
Political signal
“This is the first time we are holding talks in this format with an Asian country [except Israel]. This is a political signal and indicates we are ready to engage in many more fields across the board,” German Ambassador to India Thomas Matussek told journalists.
Varied perceptions on Libya and IMF withstanding, Germany remains steadfast in partnering with India and two other countries in pushing for an expansion of the United Nations Security Council.
Germany is also aligned with India in asking Pakistan to “come clean” on the support network of the Al-Qaeda.
New Delhi is convinced that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence backs a section of Pakistan-based terror groups who have fused and are now driven by the same thought processes that impel the Al-Qaeda.
‘Pak. must come clean'
“After the U.S. operation in Abottabad, Pakistan must answer questions about the support network of Osama bin Laden. It is important that the Pakistan government comes clean on the possible role of the Pakistan Army and the Pakistani security service in supporting Osama bin Laden and other terror outfits,” observed Mr. Matussek.
