Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be applauded for using foreign policy as an instrument of economic development. In this context, his just-concluded visit to France, Germany and Canada has proved to be successful. Mr Modi's close interaction with German Chancellor Angela Merkel is likely to prove beneficial for India in areas of trade, investment, energy, environment, culture and education.
When Ms Merkel visited India in 2008, several agreements had been signed between India and Germany in areas of commerce, science and technology and defence. The challenge now is to implement the many decisions the two countries have jointly taken. Mr Modi has to deliver back home in terms of creating a business-friendly environment. It is also a positive development that the Indian Prime Minister and Ms Merkel shared the chair during the opening of the Indian pavilion at the Hannover trade fair. India received a great deal of publicity during the international event.