German envoy on Lok Sabha polls: Observing world's biggest election with admiration

German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann on Monday said his country is observing with admiration the world's biggest election that is starting in India on April 19, and that no matter who wins it, "more of India" will be seen on the international stage.

Addressing a gathering at an event hosted by a leading private university here, he also said the Indian Presidency of the G20 "gave us a little taste of that".

In his speech, he cited the Iran-Israel conflict, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and many other ongoing or unresolved conflicts around the world.

"In the midst of this very, very difficult situation, I can't remember the world being in such a difficult times than now. We see from Europe, from European Union's perspective, clearly how much India is rising. We observe with admiration the world's biggest election that is starting on Friday. This is quite an exercise, this is a festival of democracy," Ackermann said.

The envoy said "no matter what happens in these elections, no matter who will be winning this election, I think we will see more of India on the international stage".

"The G20 Presidency gave us a little taste of that. India claims a seat at the big table, and we, Germans and Europeans, think rightfully so. Whether it's the UNSC or elsewhere, India is, and has to become more visible and recognised," he added.

India's year-long presidency of the influential bloc had begun on December 1, 2022, leading up to the G20 Summit last September where the New Delhi Declaration was announced.

"The New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit held on September 9-10 brought the deliberations under our G20 Presidency to a successful culmination. With G20 including all P5 countries, and accounting for 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of world trade and 2/3rd of world population, it was the highest profile international gathering in the history of independent India," reads a synopsis on G20 Indian Presidency website.

The theme -- 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', drawing upon its age-old belief of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", was endorsed by all. "With over 200 meetings in 60 Indian cities in all our 28 states and 8 UTs, across 40 different mechanisms including Sherpa and Finance Track Working Groups, as well as Engagement Groups, the size, scale and scope of India's G20 Presidency was unprecedented," it says.

The German ambassador said it is a role "India deserves", like no other country. "But it is a role, one should not forget that comes with high hopes also. More than ever, India will be assessed by many. Not only the countries of the so-called 'Global South', but its international appearance and policies will be vetted," Ackermann said.

And, now many governments are reaching out to India, including the German government, "as we expect India to play a bigger role in international politics", he said.

"But, you should not forget, it is a difficult undertaking, the job is not easy, and hopes and expectations are different. Let's say Russian expectations from India are different from US expectations of India. How will India manage to find its way in this new sort of role," the envoy said.

The event was hosted by the OP Jindal Global University and the envoy delivered his address on 'India-Europe Partnership in a Multipolar World'.

"It is in India's interests to develop a strong and solid partnership with Europe, including with Germany. I think we are very much on the way... Both India and Europe have a profound interest in maintaining the international rules-based order," he said.

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