German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with Indian PM Narendra Modi (File Pic)
New Delhi: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be paying his maiden visit to India from February 25 to discuss ways to further strengthen economic, defence, security and bilateral relations among others.
During his stay in India, the Chancellor will also visit to Bengaluru.
“Chancellor Scholz will be accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation,” the Indian foreign ministry said.
This is the first standalone visit of a German Chancellor to India since the biennial Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) mechanism commenced in 2011.
IGC is a whole-of-government framework under which ministers from both countries hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility and report on the outcome of discussions to the Prime Minister and Chancellor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The two Leaders will also interact with CEOs and business leaders of both sides.
Chancellor Scholz will also call on the President Droupadi Murmu. The India-Germany Strategic Partnership is underpinned by shared values, trust and mutual understanding.
Robust investment and trade linkages, cooperation in the areas of green and sustainable development and growing people-to-people ties have strengthened bilateral relations.
India and Germany also work closely at multilateral and international platforms, notably as part of the G4 for UNSC reforms.
Scholz’s visit will enable both sides to take stock and progress on the key outcomes of the 6th IGC, strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance opportunity for mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science & Technology.
