India, Germany agree to steer strategic partnership with closer coordination<br/><br/>India and Germany today agreed to steer the strategic partnership into a new phase with closer coordination, bilaterally and with partners in the G20. A joint statement, issued after third India Germany inter governmental consultations in New Delhi, said both the countries underlined the importance of sustainable development through closer dialogue, clean energy, skilling and education. Both countries stressed the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters. India and Germany also emphasized their commitment to the reconstruction of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.<br/><br/>Prime minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel shared their common concern about the growing threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism and underscored their readiness to build closer collaboration to counter these challenges.<br/><br/>Both the countries also stressed their full commitment to IAEA's safeguards and reaffirmed the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the UN security council especially its expansion in both permanent and non permanent categories.<br/><br/>Both the leaders renewed their determination to expand bilateral trade and investment. They agreed that new policies including Make in India have the potential to open up investment opportunities for German companies.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, the leaders also agreed to enhance collaboration towards the common aim of developing climate friendly efficient and sustainable solutions for India's expanding energy needs. The two countries also decided to forge Indo-German climate and renewable alliance to harness technology, innovation and finance to make renewable energy accessible to all and foster climate change mitigation efforts.<br/><br/>Both the leaders also welcomed the Indo-German partnerships in Higher education to facilitate collaborative research.

India and Germany today signed 18 MoUs in various sectors including renewable energy, skill development and culture. The MoUs were signed at the end of third Indo-German Inter-governmental Consultations in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel co-chaired the meeting.<br/><br/>Earlier Chancellor Merkel was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She also visited Rajghat to pay her respects to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.<br/><br/>Ms Merkel will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee today. The German Chancellor, along with Prime Minister Modi will visit Bengaluru tomorrow and participate in a business event.<br/><br/>The first Indo-German Intergovernmental Consultations took place in India in 2011 and in 2013, Germany hosted the second round. Since taking up this format of cooperation, Indo-German relations have been on a steady upswing.