On stopover in Berlin, Modi holds talks with German Chancellor
BERLIN: Had a wonderful meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel. We discussed multiple aspects relating to IndiaGermany cooperation as well as other global issues. NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday and discussed multiple aspects of bilateral cooperation with her.
Modi was on a brief stopover in Berlin after wrapping up his visit to the UK where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders.
It was the third and last leg of Modi’s three-nation tour to the UK, Sweden and Germany.
“Had a wonderful meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel. We discussed multiple aspects relating to India-Germany cooperation as well as other global issues,” Modi tweeted.
The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen IndiaGermany cooperation, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, adding that Modi’s visit “demonstrates India’s mutual desire to strengthen the strategic partnership”.
“Further cementing a cherished friendship! PM @narendramodi warmly welcomed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Chancellery ahead of the bilateral meeting,” Kumar said in a tweet.
The visit demonstrates the commitment by the two countries to maintain the momentum of high level exchanges, according to Indian officials.
It was the first meeting between the two leaders since Merkel began her fourth term as German chancellor last month.
Modi’s meeting with Merkel comes after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s trip to India last month, which focused on boosting economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Germany is India’s largest trade partner in the European Union bloc.
In 2016-17, the bilateral trade turnover was $18.76 billion, with India exporting goods worth $7.18 billion to Germany and importing German products worth $11.58 billion, according to German media.