After a rather successful visit to Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's six-day, four-nation tour continues as he head to Spain. The first Indian PM to visit the nation in an official capacity, in three decades, Modi is expected to meet the President of Spain Mariano Rajoy and discuss bilateral relations, trade and other issues. He is also expected to call on King Felipe VI of Spain, and hold discussions with leading Spanish businessmen and leaders.
“We are made for each other,” Modi said in Berlin after India and Germany signed eight bilateral agreements on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel after holding the fourth round of the inter-governmental dialogue to set a roadmap for bilateral strategic ties, Modi said India is giving an impetus to next-generation infrastructure and this is an area in which “we want to work extensively with Germany”. “We are looking at outcome-oriented momentum in India-Germany ties and quantum jump especially in economic ties,” Modi said. Merkel said India has proved to be a reliable partner and both countries have been able to deepen cooperation.
Modi arrived in the German capital to a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery- Office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel herself, and senior German officers. He then introduced Merkel to his accompanying ministerial delegation. The Indian PM received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem. Both the leaders then attended the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) Plenary session. In his inaugural address, Modi called on “more and more German companies” to invest in India.
“There are 600 Indo-German joint ventures operating in India, employing 200,000 people. But there is huge potential as Indo-German economic cooperation is below its full potential and to enhance this, we in India are waiting with open arms because we value German partnership a lot.” The summit also highlighted the deadlock over FTA between India and the European Union, with Merkel and senior business leaders urging Modi for a speedy conclusion.
“There are growing protectionist trends around the world but Germany believes the value chains are so deeply interconnected that we will continue to create fair trading conditions. Within this context, it is important that the FTA makes progress,” Merkel said. “Germany will continue to push Brussels to resolve negotiations more speedily and we are committed to implement and put into practise such an agreement. The negotiations have been tough because every country must safeguard its own interests and Germany will ensure that India's concerns are also put on the table.”
The Ministry of External Affairs said the aim was to work towards speedy resolution of an agreement in light of the Indo-German bilateral trade treaty having expired in March this year. “We are committed and have been engaging on this issue and hope an agreement can be reached as fast as possible,” an MEA spokesperson told reporters.
