Germany’s relationship with India has become increasingly significant amid rising global uncertainty, as the two nations seek to strengthen collaboration in trade, defence, and labour mobility, German Ambassador to India Jasper Wieck said on Wednesday at a press conference here.
Calling the present time an "age of uncertainty," Wieck stated that Russia had "shattered trust and peace," while the United States was "continually altering the rules of the game," thereby underscoring the growing importance of stronger cooperation between India and Germany.
Regarding India’s ongoing imports of Russian oil, he stated that Germany recognizes the energy requirements of a nation with 1.4 billion inhabitants, but contended that cutting back on Russian oil purchases would weaken Moscow’s capacity to fund the war in Ukraine.
Defence collaboration is another major priority, with Wieck noting that a potential German submarine agreement with India could significantly strengthen bilateral relations.
He also highlighted unmanned platforms, cyber capabilities, missile systems, and sensor technologies as additional fields for partnership.
Wieck recently took office as Germany’s ambassador to India and Bhutan and submitted his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu in August.
Wieck outlined three main priorities for his ambassadorship: the imminent formal conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), labour migration, and defence collaboration.
“If we stop purchasing oil from Russia, then the resources and financing for the war in Ukraine will cease,” he said, noting that Germany recognises India’s “unique situation” as a nation of 1.4 billion people whose economy is heavily reliant on energy imports.
The ambassador’s comments were made as Western nations increased pressure on countries, including India, that continue to purchase Russian energy.
The United States has recently sought to penalise major buyers through the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which permits the imposition of sanctions and tariffs on imports of Russian oil and gas.
The European Union (EU), by contrast, does not directly impose sanctions on third countries for purchasing Russian oil.
Ukraine has long been prepared to accept a ceasefire, while Russia has resisted such efforts, Wieck said, noting that the war has driven up grain and fertilizer prices in India and Germany and has also carried broader geopolitical consequences.
He stated that Russia was growing ever more reliant on China and that "the sooner the war ends, the better," noting that the key was to alter Russia’s cost-benefit assessment.
Wieck further observed that India could contribute to diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, while emphasising that the war must conclude through a process that reshapes Russia’s strategic calculations.
Ukraine has long been prepared to agree to a ceasefire, while Russia has resisted such efforts," Wieck said, noting that the war has driven up grain and fertilizer prices in both India and Germany and has also carried broader geopolitical consequences.
He stated that Russia was growing ever more reliant on China and that "the sooner the war ends, the better," noting that the path ahead lay in altering Russia’s cost-benefit assessment.
Wieck also stated that India could contribute to initiatives aimed at a diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine conflict, while emphasizing that the war must conclude through a process that alters Russia’s strategic calculations.