India values Germany’s role as Europe’s economic powerhouse: Manmohan Singh

BERLIN - Describing Germany as the economic powerhouse of Europe, and as India’s largest trading partner in Europe, visiting Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said that it is playing a key role in ensuring financial stability and economic recovery in the Eurozone.

Conveying India’s full support to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in this endeavour through an opening statement made at a joint press interaction here, Dr. Singh said that the economic resurgence of Europe is critical for a balanced recovery of the global economy.

“We have agreed to continue our close consultations within the G-20 framework to work towards such an outcome,” he said.

Dr. Singh also said that India and Germany will both be on the United Nations Security Council in 2011 and 2012.

“We will work closely with Germany, both bilaterally and within the G-4, to enhance the effectiveness of the Security Council, as well as in support of the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent categories of its membership,” he added.

With regard to the crucial issue of climate change, the Indian Prime Minister said that the world must continue to build upon the progress made at the Cancun Conference on Climate Change.

“India will play its part in arriving at a pragmatic and balanced solution within the framework of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change,” he said. By Smita Prakash (ANI)