The three-day visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel will see India and Germany having renewed focus on bilateral trade, security, technology exchange, partnership in India’s flagship programmes, skill development and climate change.
Merkel will be in New Delhi from October 4 to 6 for the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) with the Indian side, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India and Germany will also announce a fresh agreement on the teaching of German and Hindi, Sanskrit in each other’s country. Besides, “momentous deals” between top companies of India and Germany are on cards as top business leaders of Germany are travelling with Merkel.
As India seeks higher participation from German companies under ‘Make in India’, the issue of problems faced by German industries while investing here is also likely to come up during talks.
“While German industries have renewed interest in investing in India, they at the same time also seek resolution of certain issues like questions of corruption, framework for investments, safety of taxation, Intellectual Property Rights and legal redressal for ease of doing business. German industries want greater progress in reforms for investments in India,” said German Ambassador in India Dr Martin Ney.
“The two sides will not just talk the talk, but deliver tangible results. let it be sufficed to say that the outcome will reflect the broad spectrum of deliberations of the consultations. The deliverables will cover the areas of security, economy, development cooperation, climate, clean energy and food security,” Ney said.
On the latest Volkswagen controversy, the Ambassador said Merkel had ordered inquiry into the allegations. “We are taking this extremely seriously. It is important for the car makers in Germany to establish transparency.”
Merkel will be accompanied by a large delegation including several Cabinet Ministers and a high-profile business delegation. The IGC is a unique Summit-level dialogue with Cabinet participation of both Governments that helps advance the bilateral partnership across the whole range of priority areas. Apart from this, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will also hold discussions on global and regional security issues.
After talks in New Delhi, Merkel and Modi will visit Bengaluru on October 6, to attend a business event hosted by NASSCOM. They will also visit the innovation and skilling centres at the German company Bosch. It will be Merkel’s third meeting with Modi this year since April. Overall, the two leaders have met four times in 11 months.