The Rediff Special/ Klaus Kinkel

'Yesterday's answers -- nationalism, protectionism and the search for new enemy-images -- will not help us solve tomorrow's problems'

Dr Klaus Kinkel, Germany's foreign minister, delivered his vision for India and Germany -- partners for the 21st century at the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation recently. This is what he said:

The next millennium is three years ahead. It represents an important threshold for the whole of humanity. The 20th century was marked by wars, ideological conflict, as well as fear of the world being engulfed in nuclear explosions. Humanity is facing new challenges at its close!

Can the world withstand between eight and ten billion people? Is there enough food and water for them? Can we supply them with the necessary energy without triggering off the greenhouse effect? How are industrial societies and developing countries coping with globalisation? Can we prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands?

One thing is clear: yesterday's answers -- nationalism, protectionism and the search for new enemy-images -- will not help us solve tomorrow's problems. Malaysian ambassador Razali, president of this year's UN General Assembly, said in his inaugural speech that as long as the international community does not learnt to look beyond its own national borders it will not succeed in maintaining the planet Earth habitable for future generations.

There is only one solution: The international community must develop a world domestic policy based on reason and responsibility. That means a global partnership aimed at mastering the great tasks of the future -- safeguarding peace, combating poverty and protecting our natural sources of life.

Another objective of my visit to India is to drum up support for such a partnership. For who should take on this responsibility if not the power triangle Europe, USA, Asia -- and, within this triangle, leading countries such as Germany and India.

India is one of the great powers in Asia and a voice which is heard worldwide. India's political, economic and strategic importance will grow further during the coming decades. There is no doubt about that. Germany is the largest and economically most powerful member-state of the European Union and India's second most important trading partner worldwide. What could be more natural for our two countries than to pool their know-how and skills even more.

Europe and America, the new and the old worlds, have long-standing close relations. The USA and Asia built a bridge over the Pacific with APEC. Last year in Bangkok, Europe and Asia began to strengthen the side of the triangle which binds Europe and Asia. That was long overdue. Our two countries play a special role in building the bridge between Europe and Asia.

Germany and India can give each other much, but, what is perhaps even more important is that in doing so we can also contribute towards world peace and development. Germany is willing to enter into such an intensive partnership with India.

The conditions for this intensification of relations could hardly be better. We share the same basic values and interests. Our friendship is centuries old. India - what can it teach us -- that was the credo in the mid-19th century of the famous German Indologist Max Muller, who was the first to translate Hindu holy texts into German and English. Our six cultural institutes in India rightly bear his name.

India's unique culture has continued to fascinate the world to this very day, especially us Germans. The influence of Indian culture in Germany has been considerable. The same applies in the other direction: Zubin Mehta is currently being acclaimed as the new opera director to Munich. We admire your great efforts to preserve your ancient treasures, and are helping you where we can. For me there is a symbol: The Indian tigers must not become extinct. The world's environmental and animal-protection experts must help here!

On August 15, India will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Independence. You achievements during those fifty years have been admirable. You have fed a population which has tripled in size, built up an efficient industrial sector, provided schooling and health care in rural areas, and have the third largest pool of scientists and engineers in the world. Your great nation can truly be proud of this!

India is the largest democracy in the world. The parliamentary system, an independent judiciary and free press are firmly anchored, and federalism has created the basis to enable the various ethnic groups and religions to live together in peace. India's age-old history and culture have given your country a feel for political responsibility, experience and far-sightedness. Now that we are all neighbours in a smaller world and all depend on one another, the world needs these Indian qualities more than ever.