German Chancellor Merkel arrives in India on three-day visit

New Delhi: German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived here on Sunday evening for the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.

She was received by Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Namaste Chancellor Merkel! Warm welcome to you & the delegation. I look forward to fruitful discussions & strengthening India-Germany ties.”

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup tweeted on her arrival: “India calling. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in New Delhi on a 2 day visit, received by MoS @jayantsinha.”

Chancellor Merkel, who is on a three-day visit to India from October 4-6, is accompanied by a large delegation, including several Cabinet Ministers and a high-profile business delegation.

She will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on October5, followed by a visit to Rajghat. The Chancellor will also call upon by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel will hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening bilateral engagement in defence, security, education, renewable energy, high technology manufacturing, skill development, science and technology, railways, water and waste management, urban development and agriculture. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of common concern.

Both the leaders will visit Bengaluru on October 6 to participate in a business event hosted by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) on ‘Industry 4.0’, and also visit the innovation and skilling centres at a German company Bosch.

India and Germany are strategic partners since 2001. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest foreign investor in India. (ANI)