Germany ready to sign $8bn submarine deal with India: Envoy

German envoy Jasper Wieck

NEW DELHI: Germany's relationship with India has assumed greater importance amid growing global uncertainty, with the two countries looking to deepen cooperation in trade, defence and labour mobility, German ambassador to India, Jasper Wieck, said at a press conference Wednesday.He said Germany was ready to sign an $8 billion deal with India for building six next-generation conventional submarines. "In terms of documents, it has already been finalised and the German side has agreed to it. It is now up to the Indian side to complete and conclude its internal processes," Wieck said, adding Germany was ready to sign the agreement as early as tomorrow.The agreement will see TKMS, the German defence contractor that will supply advanced submarine design and technology transfer, partnering with India's MDL.Describing the current global situation as an "era of unpredictability", Wieck said Russia had "wrecked trust and peace" while US was "constantly changing the rules of the game", making closer cooperation between India and Germany more important.

Wieck assumed charge as Germany's ambassador to India and Bhutan recently.Asked about his three priorities as ambassador, Wieck identified the pending formal signing of the India-European Union FTA, labour migration, and defence cooperation.

On India's continued purchase of Russian oil, he said Germany understood the energy needs of a country of 1.4 billion people but argued that reducing purchases of Russian oil would dent Moscow's ability to finance the war in Ukraine. "If we don't buy any oil anymore from Russia then financing for the (Ukraine) war stops," he said.On pending student visa issues, he said Germany was working to address the issue.