MODI IN GERMANY

to exchange views on strategic, regional and global developments.

“PM @narendramodi and @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz begin bilateral discussions. This is their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. The momentum of high level exchanges with our Strategic Partner continues,” ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Modi and Scholz co-chaired the 6th India-Germany InterGovernmental Consultations (IGC).

Launched in 2011, IGC is a unique biennial mechanism which allows the two governments to coordinate on a wide spectrum of bilateral issues.

Many ministers from both sides will participate in the IGC.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor Ajit Doval were also present in the meeting.

The 6th IGC will further strengthen the India-Germany strategic partnership, the MEA had said.

This is Modi’s fifth visit to Germany after becoming Prime Minister. He had earlier visited the European country in April 2018, July 2017, May 2017 and April 2015.

In his departure statement, Modi had said that his visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Scholz, whom he met at G20 last year in his previous capacity as vice-chancellor and finance minister.

“I look forward to exchanging views with Chancellor Scholz on strategic, regional and global developments that concern us both,” Modi had said ahead of his visit.

In 2021, India and Germany commemorated 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and have been strategic partners since 2000, Modi said.

Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe with a bilateral trade of over USD 21 billion.

Modi is also scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora in Germany.

Germany is home to a thriving Indian diaspora of over 200 thousand.

The visit will chart the future course for deepening Indo-German ties, the MEA said.