agreements in the areas of Health, Vocational Education, Science and Technology and Nuclear Physics.
Addressing a joint press conference after bilateral talks with visiting German chancellor Angela Merkel here, Dr. Singh expressed hope that both the countries would achieve the trade target of 20 billion Euros by 2012.
Prime minister Dr Singh said, India offers a stable and friendly investment climate and a large market for German entrepreneurs. Referring to the issue of terrorism as a serious Global challenge, Dr. Manmohan Singh called for fighting the menace in a collective manner. He said, security situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, besides the situation in West Asia and North Africa and Libya also came up for discussion.
On the issue of UN reforms, Prime Minister said that the world body is not reflecting the current global realities and the new concerns have to be reflected in its day-to-day functioning. Dr. Singh supported German Chancellor’s views on inclusion of both the countries in the expanded UN Security Council.
In her remarks, Merkel asserted Germany’s full support to India’s infrastructure development particularly in the areas of railways and urban development. She said that her country will extend all help to India in the development of nuclear energy to address global concerns on climate change.
In response to a question, Dr Singh said that India plans to produce 20,000 megawatt of nuclear power by 2020 and made it clear that world class safety standards will be followed. He also said that efforts will be made to tap solar and other forms of clean energy to meet the growing demands.