English Rendering of PM’s Reply to the questions during the Joint Press Statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Berlin on 14 April, 2015

Answers pertaining to the Prime Minister’s visit to Germany: Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi: Today the entire world looks up to India. India had created a place for itself as the fastest growing economy in the world. India has three major facilities which currently no other country has which are Demographic Dividend, Democracy and Demand. If we were to see these three points, India holds a tremendous potential to turn into a manufacturing hub. We see it as a low cost manufacturing, “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” hub where investors from all over the world can find ample work force.

There is a huge domestic demand and the democratic values are the core values which both India and Germany share. So it is an environment conducive to most nations and especially Germany. Manufacturing has been Germany’s strength. If the German companies and conducive Indian environment are brought together, then both can easily fulfill the various demands of the world.

The work force that will get trained in this manufacturing sector can be converted into a work force for the world. Employment is the greatest need of India and so we are focused on developing it as a manufacturing hub.

Chancellor Markel had hosted a dinner for all the companies that meet at the Hanover fair. The Indian Industrial houses had detailed discussions with them. And I am happy to see that be it skill development or vocational training, be it technology upgradation in the railway and its expansion or manufacturing in defence sector or new horizons in engineering sector, the German companies are keen to work together with us in all these sectors. The faith of companies on both sides have been renewed due to the dialogue I had with Chancellor Markel.

I feel that in the coming days be it human resource development or professional management or development in manufacturing sector, India and Germany will collaborate successfully. I return today with this faith.

Answers pertaining to Global Terrorism.

Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi: I believe that terrorism is a big threat to humanity. All those who believe in humanity, whatever language they speak, whichever country they belong to, whatever might be their traditions, they all need to come together. They should unite and should pitch against terrorism with same intensity and make collective efforts to fight it.

We can see very clearly that 25 years back when we talked of terrorism, it was dismissed as a law and order problem. Today the world has understood that terrorism can be very horrible and it is a fight against humanity. Till all the humanitarian forces come together and everyone treats terrorism as the same, they will always have a free hand. How do we stop them from accessing weapons? How do we pressurize those governments that provides shelter to the terrorists? There should be the same level of sensitivity against those who shelter terrorism as we have for those having nuclear weapons. If we are able to create this kind of a mood, we can isolate terrorism as well as those who support terrorism and this should be our first strategy. The world needs to consider this very seriously.

Secondly, a proposal is long due with the United Nation where terrorism needs to be defined. United Nations is about to complete 70 years. I desire that they pass this resolution, define terrorism and prepare regulations that bind the nations of the world. Then only all the forces fighting the menace of terrorism can be brought together on a common platform. I am aware of the views of Chancellor Markel. Her views on terrorism are absolutely clear in the same way as we have been struggling with terrorism for the past 30 years. We now feel and I believe that the way whole world is experiencing terrorism today, the world needs to become more aware and get together to work for the security of humanity.

Answers related to India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi: I want to draw the world attention to this issue of India’s permanent membership in the Security Council, now that you have raised it. You are aware that the U.N is completing 70 years and we are passing the centennial year of World War I. The world should know that more than 75,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives in World War I and more than 14 lakh soldiers were forced to participate in it. India had no interests involved nor was it a part of any Indian scheme. Now if you were to see the peace keeping force, India is the country which sends the largest number of soldiers in the peace keeping force. We have been praised time and again for giving our best in peace keeping force under the U. N’s guidance. India has a culture and history where we have never attacked any other nation or fought with anyone.

A nation where the messenger of Non violence Mahatma Gandhi was born, where Gautam Buddha was born, whose culture and traditions are dedicated to peace, if that nation fails to secure a permanent membership in the UNSC, that it has to wait for 70 years, then serious questions arise. Shouldn’t there be justice for people who believe in peace, who live for peace and who have peace in their DNA. It is long overdue.

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AKT/SH