NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra discussed bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, regional and global issues, ahead of the sixth round of Biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during his one-to-one meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday.
PM Modi reached Berlin on Monday morning on the first leg of his three-nation Europe trip. The visit comes amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict and growing Western pressure on India to wean itself away from Russian dependence on key sectors like defence and energy.
The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and received by Chancellor Scholz at the Federal Chancellery.
“The two leaders thereafter met in the one-on-one format followed by delegation level talks. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership as well as regional and global developments,” the ministry said.
“Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany,” PM Modi tweeted after reaching Berlin.
Acknowledging the warm reception he received from the Indian community in Germany, PM Modi said, “It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora.”
While in Berlin, PM Modi will also have a Business Roundtable with the German chancellor with an aim to energise industry to industry cooperation. The meeting with the CEOs will help economic recovery in India and Germany after the pandemic.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is travelling with PM Modi, said that he discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict with his counterpart, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. He also met German Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Svenja Schulze and signed agreements on the Triangular Development Cooperation and Renewable Energy Partnership.
Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe, with a bilateral trade of over USD 21 billion.