New Delhi: Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, is keen on enhancing trade and investment ties with Germany, and said that as "we continue to take steps to boost domestic investments, attract foreign investors and spur the economy back to its long term potential of eight per cent growth."
Mr Singh is looking forward to Chancellor Angela Merkel's support for an early conclusion of a balanced India-EU broad based trade and investment agreement, the PM said in his closing statement before boarding the flight for Berlin for the second India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC), where he is accompanied by Ministers of New and Renewable Energy, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Commerce, Industry and Textiles, External Affairs, and Human Resource Development.
Germany is considered a key partner for India in areas like infrastructure, manufacturing, science and technology, higher education, vocational training and clean and renewable energy, according to Mr Singh.
Germany is India’s largest economic partner in Europe and one of the key global partners for trade, investment and technology. Indo-German bilateral trade had recorded an increase of 18.4 per cent and reached €18.37 billion in 2011. However, due to global economic slowdown, bilateral trade witnessed a dip of 5.5 per cent in 2012.
Mr Singh, on his visit to Germany plans to explain the German leadership the steps and the reform process that have been taken up by Indian Government in order to improve the investment climate and make India a favourable destination for investors.
“We will also discuss our shared interests in United Nations Security Council reforms and a broad range of global developments, including with respect to Afghanistan, West Asia and the Asia Pacific region,” he said in his closing statement.
"I will also propose that Europe keep it's door open to Indian investors and professionals," Mr Singh said adding that Germany plays a key role in the global economy and in particular in the stability and growth in the Euro zone which has an important bearing on the Indian economy. "At a time of persisting global economic weakness and uncertainty I look forward to discussing these issues with Chancellor Merkel."
Further, Mr Singh plans to meet President of Germany Joachim Gauck and participate in the closing ceremony of the ‘Days of India in Germany’, which was organised to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Germany.
The Prime Minister confirmed that India remains committed to a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership with Germany.
The IGCs, first held in May 2011 in Delhi, provide a useful forum for discussions on the full spectrum of bilateral relationship and have helped advance Indo-German cooperation in a broad range of areas.
India is expecting a “strong political thrust” from Germany, a key member of the 27-nation European bloc for early inking of the India-EU pact, according to Ranjan Mathai, Foreign Secretary.
“We are of the view that early conclusion of India-EU agreement will open up new economic opportunities to both sides and certainly that applies to the way we approach our economic engagements with Germany.
“The negotiations have reached an advanced stage and in fact there will another round of negotiations on April 15 when it will be taken forward. We will certainly be discussing the matter with the German side. We expect a strong political thrust from Germany for an early conclusion of the agreement”, according to the Foreign Secretary.
Shivshankar Menon, National Security Advisor, who is also the part of the delegation, will address security-related issues and hold a strategic dialogue during the visit. On the Afghan situation, the Foreign Secretary said, “We have had interesting exchanges with Germany. As you know, Germany is a part of the ISAF and it has had a contingent in Mazar in the past. As the drawdown continues, Germany like the other countries would like to ensure that the future of Afghanistan is not marked by uncertainty and instability.”
India and Germany will also hold talks on the Group’s proposal on UN Security Council reforms, as the two countries are part of G-4 (Brazil, India, Germany and Japan). “And while considering the G4 proposal, we will, of course, be looking at the modalities in which it can be taken forward, which means also considering ways in which we can deal with those groups within the UN system who have a different view,” according to Mathai.
Mr Singh, the PM will be hosted for dinner by the German Chancellor and the next morning he will be accorded a Ceremonial Welcome at the German State Chancellery after which he will jointly chair the IGC with Merkel. In the evening, the Prime Minister will attend the wrapping up of “Days of India in Germany” cultural events.
As part of the celebrations, various events were held from May 2012 to March 2013, under the four themes — Connecting Minds, Connecting Capabilities, Connecting Ideas and Connecting Cultures.
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