Shortcomings of UN make G-20 important, says German Ambassador

German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner held the shortcomings of the UN system as the primary reason why the G-20 has become an extremely important platform. He also hailed the summit claiming that not only trade, but other issues like climate change and women empowerment are also discussed at the platform these days.

New Delhi: With tensions between Iran and US at an all-time high, and the Trump administration's trade war with China hampering the growing multi-lateral order of the world, this year's G-20 summit assumes a lot of significance.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner held the shortcomings of the UN system as the primary reason why the G-20 has become an extremely important platform. "The United Nations is representing the reality of 1948-1949, so it has to be reformed," he said.

Elaborating on the importance of the G-20, which suits the multi-lateral order as it contains both economic powers and emerging powers of the world, the German ambassador also hailed it claiming that not only trade but other issues like climate change and women empowerment are also discussed at the platform these days.

On the escalating Iran-US tensions, he urged both nations to calm down as war in the Middle-East will be catastrophic for the entire world. He even claimed that German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her bilateral meet with US President Donald Trump on June 28 will certainly take up the matter.



Despite the USA's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, Germany chose to remain a part of it. Now, along with the UK and France, it is developing a banking mechanism to do trade with Tehran, so it can avoid any US-imposed sanctions.

Asked whether Germany would like to add other countries in the alternative mechanism being developed by them, Lindner said, "Germany is in talks with many countries regarding it, but the project is still taking baby steps. Further, it is up to countries to decide whether they want to join or not."

On the US-China trade war which has become a matter of concern for the entire world, he said, "The tendency of isolating countries and following unilateral approach should be stopped. We need an international approach. Global issues can't be solved by individual countries."

Hailing India-Germany relations, Lindner said that he would like to work on enhancing the cultural exchanges between both the countries. "Would like more student exchanges. We can share technologies and work on artificial intelligence as well," he added.