By Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide ranging talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi. The leaders reviewed progress on key outcomes of the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultation held in May last year.
Earlier, Modi received Scholz at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the German leader was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Scholz’s visit is an opportunity to further deepen the multifaceted India-Germany strategic partnership.
“PM @narendramodi welcomes @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz at Hyderabad House for bilateral talks. Focus of the talks will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation, building on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership and economic partnership, and forging closer ties in defence,” Bagchi wrote on Twitter.
The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen defence and economic cooperation, enhance talent mobility and widen Science and Technology collaboration. This is the fourth time that the two leaders are meeting in the span of a year, underscoring the mutual commitment to the growth of the Indo-German partnership.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in New Delhi this morning on a two-day visit to India. He is accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The two Leaders will also interact with CEOs and business leaders of both sides. Chancellor Scholz will call on President Droupadi Murmu.
This is the German Chancellor’s first visit to India in his current role. This is the first standalone visit of a German Chancellor to India since the biennial Inter-Governmental Consultation mechanism commenced in 2011. The Inter-Governmental Consultation is a whole-of-government framework under which Ministers from both countries hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility and report on the outcome of discussions to the Prime Minister and Chancellor.
The India-Germany Strategic Partnership is underpinned by shared values, trust and mutual understanding. Robust investment and trade linkages, cooperation in the areas of green and sustainable development and growing people-to-people ties have strengthened bilateral relations. India and Germany also work closely at multilateral and international platforms, notably as part of the G4 for UNSC reforms.