PM Modi, Merkel chair Indo-German Intergovernmental Consultations

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are participating in the third India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) here today.

“The real business of diplomacy. The 3rd India-Germany InterGovernmental Consultations begin, led by PM & Chancellor,” tweeted Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

“Breaking bread (and naan) together. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Merkel continue talks over a working lunch,” he added.

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 and many other things.

Hopes are high that the German Chancellor’s visit will revive the Indo-EU Free trade agreement.

Prime Minister Modi and the German Chancellor will visit Bengaluru on October 6, where both will participate in a business event hosted by NASSCOM and also visit the innovation and skilling centres at German company M/S 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)