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NEW DELHI:
The expertise of technological and economic powerhouses like Germany will be useful in building “new India” by 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, after holding talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who is in India on a two-day visit. The two leaders discussed a range of issues and 11 pacts have been inked between between India and Germany in fields such as space, civil aviation, maritime technology, medicine and educationThe two countries also signed sign five joint declarations of intent after talks between PM Modi and Chancellor Merkel. This is their fifth meeting in a year. “All issues, even Kashmir, could be discussed” during talks between PM Modi and Chancellor Merkel, sources said.
“We have resolved to intensify bilateral, multilateral cooperation to deal with terrorism and extremism,” PM Modi said during a joint briefing at Delhi’s Hyderabad House. “We have vowed to build ‘new India’ by 2022 and expertise of technological, economic power houses like Germany will be useful for it,” he added.
Ms Merkel, who has a packed schedule, began her day with a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where PM Modi greeted her. She then went to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the very warm and gracious welcome with which we have been received here. This is my fourth visit to India and I look forward to the very interesting programme,” Ms Merkel said in German, with PM Modi by her side.
The German leader landed in Delhi last night and was welcomed by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh.
She will meet President Ram Nath Kovind in the evening and will later hold another round of talks with the Prime Minister at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence.
Both leaders will have a separate engagement with CEOs and business leaders of both countries, the foreign ministry had said in a statement.
When asked if Kashmir issue will be discussed between PM Modi and Ms Merkel, German envoy Walter J Lindner said the two leaders have a “very good relationship and they can talk about any issue”
Tomorrow, she will meet a business delegation and visit a German company in Gurgaon. She will also visit a metro station in Delhi’s Dwarka before returning.
“All issues, even Kashmir, could be discussed. Germany supports India that Article 370 is an internal matter but has expressed concern along with the European Union, about restrictions and detentions in Kashmir which they say should be lifted immediately,” sources said.
Ms Merkel’s visit comes days after a visit by 23 European Union MPs – including German leaders – to Kashmir, prompting opposition leaders at home to question how foreign MPs were allowed in the state when politicians in India have been denied the opportunity. The German envoy had that the MPs were on a private visit.
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