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Merkel visit: 18 MoUs inked between India & Germany

Merkel visit: 18 MoUs inked between India & Germany

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. The Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Sushma Swaraj is also seen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. The Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Sushma Swaraj is also seen.

New Delhi:(IANS) India and Germany on Monday gave a major boost to their bilateral ties, especially in the economic field, by inking 18 MoUs, including one for setting up a fast-track system for German companies in India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks here.

The range of MoUs includes one on security cooperation, and another for promotion of German as a foreign language in India and for the promotion of Modern Indian languages in Germany.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessing the exchange of agreements, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessing the exchange of agreements, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi

Modi, in his speech, termed the bilateral mechanism of Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) as unique, saying it had helped bring growth in relations.

“We see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of India’s economic transformation. German strengths and India’s priorities are aligned. And, so is our mutual goodwill,” he said, after holding the 3rd IGC with Merkel here.

He said both sides have convergence of views and rapidly growing cooperation in the field of clean energy and combating climate change.

Both agreed on the India-Germany Climate and Renewable Alliance for combating climate change, Modi said, and thanked Germany for its over one billion euro aid each for India’s Green Energy Corridor project and for solar projects in India.

“We look forward to a concrete outcome at COP21 (Conference of Parties) in Paris,” Modi said.

He said both sides will see a boost in partnership in areas of defence manufacturing, trade in advanced technology, intelligence, and countering terrorism and radicalism.

He thanked Germany for its strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes.

“As we discussed in the G4 Summit in New York, Chancellor and I are committed to pursue reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council,” Modi said.

He also thanked Merkel for the return of a 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar from Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi said the statue is a symbol of the victory of good over evil.

He said: “This also suggests that in this age of transitions and turmoil, India-Germany partnership will be a force of good for the world.”

Merkel, in her media statement, said both sides held very good IGC and bilateral talks. She said the IGC mechanism has underscored the intensity of bilateral ties with India.

She said the inking of so many agreements is a “testimony to the dynamic relations”. She said more than 1,500 German companies are in India and more would be glad to open up in India. She commended the inking of the fast track agreement on German companies. “The speed at which you grant licences has increased, which is a good thing,” Merkel said.

She said Germany can help India in the area of sustainable development in the villages.

On expansion of the UN Security Council, Merkel referred to the meeting of the G4 countries of India, Germany, Japan and Brazil last week in New York and said the members of G4 are trying to seek permanent seat at the UNSC.

Both sides inked an agreement on security cooperation; an MoU on Solar Energy Partnership; for cooperation in the field of Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training; on Security Cooperation; railways and for cooperation in disaster management.

German companies in India to be fast tracked

German companies in India to be fast tracked

germany chanslor modiNew Delhi:(IANS) India and Germany on Monday inked 18 MoUs, including on setting up a fast-track system for German companies in India and on security cooperation, following talks here between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Prime Minister,Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at the Joint Press Briefing, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi

Prime Minister,Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at the Joint Press Briefing, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi

Among the 18 agreements inked are: Promotion of German as a foreign language in India and the Promotion of Modern Indian Languages in Germany; a Summary Record of the Negotiations on Development Cooperation between India and Germany; a MoU on Indo-German Development Cooperation Regarding the Indo-German Solar Energy Partnership; on  cooperation in the Field of Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training.

A MoU between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany on Security Cooperation; between India’s civil aviation ministry and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany on Aviation Security; on Cooperation in the Field of Disaster Management was also inked.

Another MoU was between their science and technology ministries on extension of the tenure of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) and another one for Indo-German Partnerships in Higher Education (IGP).

One was a joint declaration of Intent between the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, (MoA&FW), and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) of Germany on Plant Protection Products.

Both also inked a Joint Declaration of Intent on the further Development of Cooperation in the Field of Railways; plus an MoU on cooperation in the field of manufacturing.

A Joint Announcement on setting up a Fast-Track system for German companies in India was also inked.

Both sides issued a joint declaration on continuation of cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate executives and junior executives from India.

Both sides issued a Joint Statement of Intent on Cooperation in Food Safety, between the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

A MoU was inked between the German Agribusiness Alliance and Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) on Cooperation in Agricultural Studies.

A Letter of Intent was inked between the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (DST), the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings (Council), and the Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings (Foundation) on supporting participation of Indian young scientists in Natural Sciences for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.