PM Modi and German Chancellor Merkel begin talks on wide ranging issues
“Discussions begin… Chancellor Merkel and PM @narendramodi begin their talks” tweeted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Prime Minister Modi and Merkel will hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, with a special focus on boosting trade ties.
Cooperation in the fields of defence, security, education, renewable energy, agriculture and skill development is also likely to figure on the agenda.
"Bringing Berlin and New Delhi closer. PM @narendramodi greets Chancellor Merkel at Hyderabad House,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
The German Chancellor will take part in the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.
India and Germany are strategic partners since 2001. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest foreign investor in India.
Earlier in the day, Merkel, who , who is in India on a three-day official visit, was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj called on the German leader ahead of delegational level talks between the two sides.
After her reception, Merkel said her country will cooperate with India in several key areas to support the ambitious programes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
" Germany fully intends to support the ambitious program that PM Modi has outlined for the development of this nation," she said.
"We will co-operate on areas such as economy, agriculture, internal security, defence matters and financial relations," the German Chancellor added.
. During her visit, Merkel will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday before heading to Bangalore for a business conference.
Merkel would depart for Bengaluru, Karnataka, at 6pm on Monday. She would visit the Robert Bosch Engineering and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru on Tuesday. She would also attend a business forum organised by NASSCOM and Frauenhofer Institute, Bengaluru.
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