Germany hardsells Eurofighter jet for IAF

(IBN Live) : India and Germany called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to reflect the changing world realities and power equations. Eyeing the $10.4 billion deal to supply 126 medium multi-role fighter aircraft (MMRCA) to India, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also tried to hard sell the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, claiming that it was the best plane on offer.

"With the Eurofighter we have made good proposals and want to intensify our relationship with India. The Eurofighter is the best product on offer. We will not exert any influence on the procurement process and we shall wait and see," said Merkel while addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.
India and Germany also agreed to jointly tackle terror and find a solution to the Afghanistan problem with Merkel admitting that the challenges being faced in Afghanistan were "serious".
Singh said that he had wide-ranging discussions on various issues of mutual interest with Merkel including terrorism, the situation in Afghanistan, defence deals and nuclear energy.
"We reviewed developments in Afghanistan and terrorism. Terrorism has to be fought on all fronts and not selectively. We will also be in touch on UNSC reforms," said Singh.
Merkel backed India's demand for reforms in the UNSC to reflect the changing global order.
"The reform of UNSC is very necessary and it is good that Germany and India can work on that. We are seeing how we can align our policies to bring the reforms. The current UNSC does not reflect realities. We should focus our energies on speeding up the reform process," Merkel said
Singh said that UNSC still represented the world of 1945 and needs to be reformed soon.
"Germany and India are members of G4. We have been arguing for a long time that the composition of UNSC and its methods of working need to be updated in line of realities because the world of 1945 is non existent and current realities need to be taken into account. I hope our partnership in this task endures," said the Indian Prime Minister.
Singh said that situation in Afghanistan cannot have a military solution and world powers need to find a lasting solution.
"I already said India and Germany have same goal in Afghanistan, as an independent country with security in its hands. We do not think a military solution alone is possible and a security architecture is needed. An Afghanistan conference with focus on transition and reconciliation is a part and parcel of this," he said.
Singh mentioned that India needed nuclear power to meet its growing energy demand. He said that India must raise the share of nuclear power which will also help to meet its emission targets.
"Nuclear energy accounts for only three per cent of total energy generated in our system. As of now our capacity is less than 5000 MW. We want to raise it to 20,000 MW by 2020. If India is to meet its emission targets then nuclear energy and emphasis on renewable energy is required. We must have the option of make use of nuclear energy together with coal," he said.
Singh added that though there was no discussion on a new chief for the International Monetary Fund but he made it clear that the best available person regardless of nationality should be selected to head the body.
India and Germany also signed four agreements for cooperation in vocational education, medical research and science and technology on Tuesday following talks between Singh and Merkel.
Earlier, Merkel's visit was delayed as Iran temporarily denied her plane overflight rights during her flight to India. The plane reportedly had to circle over Turkey for two hours before it was given permission to enter the Iranian airspace.