Need to fight terrorism on all fronts: PM

Emphasising that terrorism is a serious challenge, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said it has to be fought on all fronts and not selectively.

Addressing the media at a joint interaction with German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, Singh said, "Both India and Germany recognise that terrorism is a serious challenge that has to be fought on all fronts and not selectively.

"Our discussions covered views on the situation in West Asia and North Africa, including developments in Libya and how they impact on regional peace and stability. We reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and will continue our discussions on these matters," he added.

Underlining that India and Germany enjoy a very close and multi-faceted relationship, Singh said, "There is admiration and respect for the advances made by Germany in engineering and technological development. The passion for quality, hard work and innovation of the German people is admired by the people of India."

"Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe and one of our most important partners for technological collaboration and joint research and development. It is also amongst the largest foreign investors in India. Our bilateral trade was more than 15 billion euros last year, and is on course to reach the target of 20 billion euros per year by 2012," he added.

Stressing India's desire to have greater German investment in India, Singh said, "I have reiterated to the chancellor our desire to have greater German investment in India, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, high technology, energy and basic and applied sciences. 

Welcoming the progress that is being made on the issue of high technology exports from Germany to India, the prime minister said, "This will benefit both economies. We have a lot to learn from Germany's experience in vocational training and skill development. I am happy that a memorandum of understanding in this regard has been signed today," he added.

He further said as members of the G-4, India and Germany have agreed to keep in close touch on the issue of the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

"I conveyed to Chancellor Merkel India's interest in a strong, prosperous and open Eurozone that contributes fully to the global economic recovery process, in which Germany is playing a pivotal role. We will continue to work together within the G-20," he added.