PM Modi meets German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; discusses regional and world developments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz right here and the 2 leaders mentioned key areas of bilateral cooperation below the general strategic partnership, in addition to regional and world developments.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday morning on the primary leg of his three-nation Europe journey that will even take him to Denmark and France.

Prime Minister Modi was acquired by Chancellor Scholz in a ceremonial welcome on the Federal Chancellery in Berlin upon his arrival for talks. He was accorded the Guard of Honour on the forecourt of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin.

In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned that the discussions between the 2 leaders “covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.” India was among the many greater than 50 nations that abstained from a United Nations vote to droop Russia from the UN Human Rights Council in April. Since January this yr, India has abstained on eight events on procedural votes and draft resolutions within the UN Security Council, the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council that deplored Russian aggression in opposition to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Modi’s go to comes amid the Ukraine disaster, which has united a lot of Europe in opposition to Russia.

“Expanding India-Germany cooperation. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz meet in Berlin. @Bundeskanzle,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.

This was Prime Minister Modi’s first assembly with Scholz as German Chancellor, who assumed workplace in December, 2021.

Later, they held delegation-level talks which was additionally attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

“Discussions continue between PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz in Berlin. Both leaders are reviewing the full range of bilateral ties between India and Germany, including giving an impetus to trade as well as cultural linkages. @Bundeskanzler,” the PMO tweeted.

“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 mentioned in a tweet.

Later, Modi and Scholz co-chaired the sixth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

“The Inter-Governmental Consultation between India and Germany illustrate the special nature of this friendship. Prime Minister @narendramodi, Chancellor Scholz and top Ministers from India and Germany meet in Berlin. @Bundeskanzler,” the PMO tweeted together with {a photograph} of the taking part ministers from each side.

Bagchi mentioned it’s a distinctive biennial dialogue mechanism permitting the 2 governments to coordinate on a large spectrum of bilateral issues.

“For growth and resilience. For mobility and prosperity. For a greener and sustainable future. For an open and peaceful Indo-Pacific. The 6th edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations gets underway,” he mentioned in one other tweet.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar and NSA Doval have been additionally current within the assembly.

The sixth IGC will additional strengthen the India-Germany strategic partnership, the MEA had mentioned.

This is Modi’s fifth go to to Germany after turning into Prime Minister. He had earlier visited the European nation in April 2018, July 2017, May 2017 and April 2015.

In his departure assertion, Modi had mentioned that his go to to Berlin might be a chance to carry detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz, whom he met at G20 final yr in his earlier capability 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 mentioned forward of his go to.

In 2021, India and Germany commemorated 70 years of the institution of diplomatic relations and have been strategic companions since 2000, Modi mentioned.

Germany is India’s largest buying and selling companion in Europe with a bilateral commerce of over USD 21 billion.

Modi can also be scheduled to work together with the Indian diaspora in Germany.

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

The go to will chart the longer term course for deepening Indo-German ties, the MEA mentioned.