Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, expressed admiration for India’s upcoming elections, stating that regardless of the outcome, India’s presence on the international stage is set to expand.
Speaking at an event hosted by a leading private university, Ackermann highlighted India’s significance in global affairs, citing its recent Presidency of the G20 as a precursor to its growing influence.
Amid global challenges such as the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, Ackermann highlighted India’s rising prominence, noting the country’s democratic values showcased in the upcoming elections.
He described the elections as a ‘festival of democracy’ and underscored Germany’s admiration for India’s democratic process. Regardless of the election results, Ackermann predicted that India’s role in global affairs would continue to strengthen.
As India prepares for the world’s largest democratic exercise, Ackermann’s remarks reflect Germany’s keen interest in India’s political landscape and its evolving role on the international stage.
“The G20 Presidency gave us a little taste of that. India claims a seat at the big table, and we, Germans and Europeans, think rightfully so. Whether it’s the UNSC or elsewhere, India is, and has to become more visible and recognised,” he added.
India’s yearlong presidency of the influential bloc had begun on December 1, 2022, leading up to the G20 Summit last September where the New Delhi Declaration was announced.
“The New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit held on September 9-10 brought the deliberations under our G20 Presidency to a successful culmination. With G20 including all P5 countries, and accounting for 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of world trade and two-thirds of world population, it was the highest profile international gathering in the history of independent India,” reads a synopsis on G20 Indian Presidency website.
The theme – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, drawing upon its age-old belief of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – was endorsed by all. “With over 200 meetings in 60 Indian cities in all our 28 states and 8 UTs, across 40 different mechanisms including Sherpa and Finance Track Working Groups, as well as Engagement Groups, thesize, scale and scope of India’s G20 Presidency was unprecedented,” it says.
The German ambassador said it is a role “India deserves”, like no other country.
“But it is a role, one should not forget that comes with high hopes also. More than ever, India will be assessed by many. Not only the countries of the so-called ‘Global South’, but its international appearance and policies will be vetted,” Ackermann said.
And now many governments are reaching out to India, including the German government, “as we expect India to play a bigger role in international politics”, he said.
“But, you should not forget, it is a difficult undertaking, the job is not easy, and hopes and expectations are different. Let’s say Russian expectations from India are different from US expectations of India. How will India manage to find its way in this new sort of role,” the envoy said.
The event was hosted by the OP Jindal Global University and the envoy delivered his address on ‘India-Europe Partnership in a Multipolar World’.
“It is in India’s interests to develop a strong and solid partnership with Europe, including with Germany. I think, we are very much on the way… Both India and Europe have a profound interest to maintain the international rules-based order,” he said.
With inputs from PTI
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