Germany endorses Indian position on J&K Berlin to reach out to Srinagar with visas Fayaz Bukhari Srinagar, July 2: Germany today said that it will not take any position on Jammu and Kashmir issue that can be seen as an interference and it fully recognizes the legitimate institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. The German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner told reporters during an interaction at Kashmir University here: “German position on Kashmir has not changed. We will not take a position which can be in any way seen as an interference.” Steiner said his visit to the State is an endorsement of legitimacy of the institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. “We, of course..and I do this by coming here to Srinagar, recognize fully the legitimate institutions in Kashmir,” he said. The Ambassador said the focus of German efforts in Jammu and Kashmir is to help the State prosper. “We concentrate ourselves on helping Kashmir to prosper and to get into an exchange with us. We are not here in politics on this issue,” he added. Steiner said there has been no change in the advisory on travel to Kashmir to German’s due to hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in February this year but Berlin has asked its citizens to be vigilant. “There has been no change in the travel advisory. At least I would have known, if there had been one,” he said. Germany was the first European country to modify its negative travel advisory on Kashmir in 2011. The Ambassador said the restrictions on travel to Kashmir were eased couple of years ago and it remains the same. “Of course, we tell our citizens to remain vigilant,” he added. Steiner during an interactive session with students of Kashmir University said that Germany is making it easier for Indians to get visa by outsourcing large parts of the process across India including Srinagar places where there is no German embassy or consulate. The Ambassador said the new system will allow the German embassy to reach out to places where it has no presence as of now. “We will be then present also in places where we don’t have a general consulate or embassy including Srinagar. So that should be much easier,” he said. “The good news is that we will change the (visa) system. We will outsource huge parts of the system to get visa. This will start in half a year,” Steiner said. He admitted that the present system of obtaining a German visa was cumbersome for people living in areas where there is no embassy of consulate of the country. The German Ambassador during his interaction with students highlighted the importance of Indo-German relations and symbiotic relation between the two countries. “There is deep connection between the German language and Sanskrit, Urdu and Kashmiri language which might not be so apparent to the mind,” he said. Steiner asked the students to avail the opportunities of higher education in Germany as there are number of scholarships on offer to deserving candidates. “I think the Kashmiris should never abandon Kashmir. They should always have in mind that what they learn outside they also learn for their homeland.They should think of coming back to the country and really contribute,” he said. Steiner said number of initiatives have been taken to strengthen the ties between Germany and India which includes introduction of German language in 1000 schools in India.”The results are encouraging for the fact that not only are Indians intelligent, there is connection between the German language and Sanskrit,” he added. The Ambassador said a German House has been established in five cities across the world and New Delhi is one of them.He said the major problem in Indo-German relations was that the average citizens of the both the countries lack knowledge about each other. About possibility of Germans investing in Kashmir, Steiner said he has been constantly working on it. “You know you are speaking out of my heart. I am constantly inviting companies from Germany those who are interested to invest, trying to encourage them,” he said. The Ambassador expressed condolences to the family of those killed in firing incidents in Kashmir on Sunday and Monday.”Every life lost is a tragedy for us all. I pay my respects to those who lost their lives on Sunday and Monday in Kashmir and express my heartfelt condolences to their families,” he said in his address to the students. Steiner said he had discussions with Vice Chancellor of the University Talat Ahmad on weather to postpone the event to better times. “We both came to the conclusion that especially in difficult times, we have obligation to talk and inform about future prospects. And not to shy away. The large number of students present in the university’s convocation hall proves us right and I am glad that I stayed for this”, he said.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 04:03:56 +0000
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