Germany key to India’s ongoing trade talks with EU: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said Germany remains central to India’s ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union (EU), as he called for closer cooperation between the two countries to stabilise a volatile global order and advance mutual prosperity.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the German Embassy to mark the Day of German Unity, Jaishankar said both nations share “an important responsibility for stabilising world affairs” and must continue to build on their 25-year-old strategic partnership.

“Germany is key to our ongoing trade negotiations with the EU,” he said, noting that the two sides have also made “visible progress” in their green and sustainable development partnership.

Describing Germany as one of India’s most trusted partners, Jaishankar highlighted the deepening trade, investment and people-to-people ties between the two countries. “German companies have been present here for many decades, and I see enthusiasm for expansion in many of my interactions with them,” he said, adding that the number of Indian students in Germany has doubled in the last five years, alongside a rise in the mobility of skilled professionals.

Jaishankar also expressed India’s deep appreciation for Berlin’s “unambiguous support” in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives. “My counterpart, Minister Johann Wadephul, was unambiguous in supporting India’s right to defend itself against terrorism. It is in full consonance with our belief that there should be zero tolerance towards terrorism,” he said.

The minister pointed to growing defence cooperation and increasing high-level engagements, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have already met twice this year. “We look forward to welcoming the Chancellor in India at a mutually convenient time,” he added.

Emphasising shared democratic values and economic complementarities, Jaishankar said India and Germany — both pluralistic societies and market economies — must continue to deepen rapport “based on mutual respect and understanding”.

He reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Germany in multilateral forums, including the G4 grouping, that advocates reform of the United Nations Security Council.