Germany had played an important role in the effort to get Azhar sanctioned, particularly in the wake of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack carried out by JeM in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. When asked about terrorists again getting active after the Indian air strike at JeM terror camps in Pakistan’s Balakot on February 26, Lindner said, “I have just taken over as Ambassador. I think it would be premature to comment on such a sensitive issue. We follow this with close cooperation with international friends. We are worried when there is a rise of tension”.

On Germany’s stance on Afghanistan, the Ambassador said his country has been very vocal and it had convened two peace conferences with Kabul. Germany has been involved for many years and is still very active in Afghanistan, he added.

He reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a red Ambassador car for the ceremony. “Presenting my credentials in Hindi was a nice experience. It was out of respect towards the country and the language. I also wanted to come in an Indian car,” the envoy added.