Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Berlin this evening on a three-day state visit having crucial trade and economic issues high on agenda with German leaders. During his visit he will chair the second round of Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). German Chancellor Angela Merkel will also participate in the IGC a format of very high-level of engagement.
Our correspondent covering Prime Minister`s visit reports from Berlin that Germany has IGC with only two other countries in Asia and they are China and Israel. The visit assumes significance in the backdrop of the intensified efforts from India for early conclusion of the long-waited Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union, the 27 nation block of European countries in which Germany is a key player. Germany is India's biggest trading partner in Europe. The Prime Minister will use the opportunity to clarify to German leaders the steps taken by New Delhi for furthering the reform agenda and for improving the climate for investment.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by five senior Cabinet Ministers including Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Minister for HRD Pallam Raju, Minister for Science and Technology Jaipal Reddy, Minister for renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon. The NSA will participate in the Strategic Dialogue.
Dr Singh will be accorded a Ceremonial Welcome at the German State Chancellery tomorrow morning. Later, he will jointly chair the Inter-Governmental Consultations with the German Chancellor. In the evening, the Prime Minister will bring the Days of India in Germany to an end at a cultural event being organised to mark this occasion. India and Germany have been celebrating the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Various events under the Days of India in Germany were held from May 2012 to March 2013, under the four themes: Connecting Minds, Connecting Capabilities, Connecting Ideas and Connecting Cultures. Before departing for back home the Prime Minister will also meet German President joachim Gauck on April 12.
Our correspondent adds on his arrival the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, was received by India's Ambassador to Germany Sujata Singh and Germany's Chief of Protocol Jorgen Christian Mertenst at the Tegel Military Airport. He was given a guard of honour at the airport.
Dr. Singh is making his second visit to Germany in three years at the invitation of Chancellor Merkel. He visited Germany last in December 2010. Earlier in New Delhi, in his departure statement Dr. Singh said that during his visit, he intended to seek greater business ties with Germany, as India continues to take steps to boost domestic investments, attract foreign capital and spur the economy back to its long-term growth potential of eight percent.
