To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Germany, a special stamp was released on the 10th June 2021 by the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Parliamentary State Secretary Sarah Ryglewski presented the joint stamp in a video message. (Excerpt as below).
“It has been 70 years since India and Germany established diplomatic relations. India was one of the first states to recognise the Federal Republic of Germany diplomatically after the Second World War. There followed years of successful cooperation.
In 2000, the two states agreed to deepen their relationship further and give it a new strategic dimension. The Indo-German intergovernmental consultations are especially important part of this. Germany is the only country with which India holds formal intergovernmental consultations.
The two countries’ cabinets organise joint sessions every two years, alternating between German and India.
A little over two years ago, India and Germany agreed to issue a joint stamp. This joint issue consists of an Indian stamp and a German stamp. The design shows the colours of the Indian and German flags in stripes stacked on top of each other. In this simple composition, they come together to form a cohesive new whole.
The Indian typography is superimposed over the stripes. It is a simple and aesthetically beautiful evocation of Indian culture, which is sometimes foreign but is always fascinating to us. It was designed by Matthias Wittig, a Berlin-based graphic designer.
At first glance, the stamp’s face value of 170 cents seems unusual. But it was chosen deliberately because that is exactly the postage required to send an international compact letter weighing up to 50g – for example, to India.
As you can see, this stamp is not just a cultural asset, but also a very practical item to promote intercultural exchange.”Watch the video on the official Federal Ministry of Finance website.
https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/EN/Video/2021-05-26-specialstamp-india-germany/2021-05-26-specialstamp-india-germany.html
The meaning of stamps
Stamps are far more than just a means of paying for postage: They reflect their times and represent Germany abroad – they are also tiny works of art and can even be used to make a donation to charity. Few people realise that all stamps bearing the inscription “Deutschland” are issued by the German Finance Ministry.
All stamps bearing the inscription “Deutschland” are issued by the German Finance Ministry. The Ministry acts not only as the highest German revenue authority,but by issuing stamps, the Ministry also plays a role in chronicling contemporary German history and supporting charities in Germany.
Since 1998, it is the German Finance Minister who decides on the design of stamps on the basis of a clearly defined set of criteria.In making this decision, the Minister is supported by two advisory committees.
Source:
https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Web/EN/Issues/Stamps/Meaning-of-Stamps/meaning-of-stamps.html
On June 10th, India’s Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla released the stamp along with Shri Vineet Pandey, Secretary,Posts and H.E. Walter Lindner, German Ambassador to India. The stamp has been designed by Ms. Gulistan.
The Foreign Secretary remarked:
“1. It is a matter of great satisfaction for me to be releasing this joint commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Germany. I thank Ambassador Walter J. Lindner of Germany and Secretary,Department of Posts, Government of India Shri Vineet Pandey, for joining me on this important occasion.
2. When India announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany on 7 March 1951, it became one of the first countries to do so. The two countries have not looked back since. Today, the relationship is based on a foundation of close political and economic
ties and a strong people-to-people connect.
3. An important recent indicator of these ties has been the extensive cooperation between the two countries in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in the areas of scientific research and supply of health related products and equipment. In the early days of the crisis, India supplied Germany with hydroxychoroquine and other pharmaceutical products in demand at that time. Subsequently, and
in the wake of the second wave of the pandemic in India, Germany extended much needed support in supplying health related equipment and essential drugs and raw materials to India. I wish to take this opportunity to extend grateful thanks to the Government and people of Germany for this timely and helpful gesture.
4. In a reflection of the close ties between the two countries, India and Germany have released several stamps in the past to honour each other. These stamps have represented our cultures, personalities and history. German stamps have honoured Mahatma Gandhi in 1969; and displayed
Indian miniature paintings in 1979. On its part, Indian stamps honoured Beethoven in 1970; Max Mueller in 1974; Albert Einstein in 1979; and Robert Koch in 1982.
5. In March, 2021, the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister released a logo for the 70th anniversary of our celebrations. Besides the release of the joint stamp today, several other events have been planned by our Embassy in Berlin and the German Embassy in New Delhi.
6. The India-Germany Strategic Partnership,which was established in the year 2000,draws strength from an ever-expanding trade and investment relationship. Enhanced cooperation in areas such as science and technology research and higher and vocational education has contributed to a high degree of mobility for students and professionals between India and Germany.
7. Germany has been one of our most important friends in the European union. The recommencement of negotiations on the India-EU trade and investment agreement augurs well for the future of our economic ties.
8. Our regular institutional engagement at the higher political levels has provided guidance and lent momentum to the bilateral relationship. In the last 7 years, the Prime Minister and Chancellor Angela Merkel have met 12 times. Their virtual Summit in January this year provided opportunity for a high-level review all areas of bilateral, regional and global interest.
9. India and Germany consult and cooperate closely in multilateral and international organisations. We also engage on issues of interest to us such as counter-terrorism,cyber-security and climate change.
10. Last year, Germany became the second European country to issue guidelines for the Indo-Pacific, which we welcome. We look forward to working with Germany on our convergent vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
11. The post-pandemic global order will require concerted effort on the part of like-minded countries to ensure that the principles of multilateralism and a rulesbased international order are respected
by all. India and Germany must therefore continue to enhance the level and quality of their strategic engagement. We both have unique strengths that we can synergise to be a force for good in the world.
12. I convey my warm felicitations to the people of both our countries on this important milestone of 70 years of diplomatic relations. I am pleased to launch this joint commemorative stamp to mark the event.”
Source: https://www.mea.gov.in/pressreleases.htm?dtl/33902/
