Germany’s new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview that India’s dependence on Russia for weapons is not in Germany’s interest.

In a conversation with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Boris Pistorius was asked if Germany would sell more arms to India and he said: “It is not in the hands of Germany to change it by itself. This is a problem that we have to solve together with our allies.

Pistorius said: “But obviously, if India continues to depend on Russian weapons and other goods, it will not be in our long-term interest. So we have to think about what we can do.”

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will visit India. During this visit, there will be a discussion on strengthening defense relations between the two Countries.

Germany does not want India to be with Russia under the compulsion of defense needs. Germany feels that India’s concerns need to be addressed first and then its distance from Russia will become itself.

Pistorius is on his first visit to India since taking office in January. On Sunday he participated in the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. On the other hand, on Monday he spoke with the Indonesian Defense Minister in Jakarta. On Tuesday he is due to meet Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

Prior to this meeting, in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Pistorius also hinted at the sale of German submarines to India.

In response to a question, Pistorius said: “When I arrive in India, I will be accompanied by representatives of the German defense industry and I would like to indicate that we are ready to cooperate with our trusted partners such as Indonesia, India. For example, this would also include the delivery of German submarines.

India is going to buy six conventional submarines. This deal is believed to be worth $5.2 billion. Germany will also try to sell its submarines to India.

A French naval group withdrew from the project a year ago, after which Germany’s prospects have risen.

At the beginning of the year 1981, India had signed an agreement to purchase four HDW Type 209 submarines.

In the changed security situation since the war in Ukraine, Germany has begun to relax some of the strict controls on the export of its weapons.

However, in response to a question, Pistorius also said that Germany has to strike a balance between arms exports to trusted allies and limited arms deliveries around the world.

Pistorius said that Germany does not want the world to have more weapons.

The German Defense Minister also indicated its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Pistorius said that the Indo-Pacific region will determine security, freedom of navigation and international economic challenges in the 21st century.

Pistorius said that Germany has its own guidelines regarding the Indo-Pacific region, but Germany may deploy its warships to show its presence in the region.

Germany sent its first warship to this region in the year 2021 and may send another warship here in the year 2024.

Pistorius said: “Germany must also show a willingness to discuss with its old and new allies.”

India is the world’s largest buyer of Russian weapons and defense systems. About 85 percent of Indian Air Force, Navy and Army weapons are Russian and 60 percent of India’s total security imports come from Russia.

The Indian Air Force relies on Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29 and MiG-21 fighter jets, in addition to Il-76 and Antonov An-32 transport planes, Mi-35 and Mi-17V5 helicopters and recently acquired The S-400 air defense system is also Russian.

The Indian Army uses Russian T72 and T90 battle tanks, the Navy’s INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier was the first Admiral Gorshkov.

India’s navy also flies IL-38 maritime surveillance planes and Kamov K-31 helicopters, India has a nuclear submarine leased from Russia and is also helping India build its own nuclear submarine.

India is one of the first countries in the world to recognize the Federal Republic of Germany. This year both countries have celebrated the culmination of 70 years of diplomatic relations.

There is also a strategic partnership between the two countries. Since 2011, both countries have held bilateral talks at the level of cabinets of ministers.

In the year 2020, the German government had set guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region and determined its interests and commitment in the region.

However, analysts believe that despite all this, there is some lack of cooperation between the two countries.

Amrita Narlikar, a researcher at the Observer Research Foundation, says in an article: “Policy makers on both sides grapple with the question of where the two countries fall short of the expectations placed on these relationships.”

Analysts believe that for a long time relations between India and Germany have been in such a way that there have been neither big losses nor big gains.

But in recent years, the way in which China has emerged and increased the dependence of countries on each other for weapons has affected the international system.

In this changing environment, India and Germany are trying to strengthen their relations.

Recently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz said in a speech that countries like India, South Africa and Vietnam are hesitant to criticize Russia over the Ukraine war because they feel international principles are not applied equally.

Speaking at Global Solutions’ The World Policy Forum event, Olaf Scholtz said: “When I speak to the leaders of these countries, many assure me that they are not questioning the fundamental principles of the international order. Their concern is that these principles are not applied uniformly. “.

Scholtz said: “They want equal representation and an end to the double standards of the West.”

Schultz said: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying these claims are always justified. But we can encourage powerful countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to cooperate to establish a stable global order.” we want, we have to solve them”.

Scholtz has also made a statement in support of India before.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in February this year, Olaf Scholtz said: “Europe has to stop thinking that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.” relations were the government of the powerful, then these would not only be problems of Europe”.

At this conference, Olaf also said that if Western countries want countries like India and Indonesia to cooperate with them, then just emphasizing our shared values ​​with them will not work, but Western countries must understand the concerns and interests of these countries. care must be taken This is the basic requirement of shared cooperation.

In fact, last year Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had commented on the mentality of European countries.

At a conference in Slovakia in June 2022, India’s Foreign Minister said in response to a question: “Europe has to stop thinking that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not. the problems of Europe”.

German Ambassador to India Walter J. On December 6 last year, Lindner posted a video of Jaishankar’s comment on Twitter, writing: “Your argument is absolutely valid.”