Germany' strength and India's priorities aligned : PM Modi at joint press meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel

"German strengths and India's priorities are aligned. And, so is our mutual goodwill," Modi said while addressing a joint press meet with the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"I welcome Germany's strong support for India's membership of the international export control regimes...
Germany is a natural partner in India's economic transformation," he said.

The press meet was held after bilateral talks between the two leaders.

Merkel is on a three-day visit to India, leading a delegation to hold talks on wide ranging issues of mutual interests.

PM Modi said in course of  the past year, the ties between the two countries have deepened. our ties have deepened.

I am confident that after this extraordinary session, the tree of our friendship will blossom...I believe in a world of seamless challenges and opportunities, India and Germany can be strong partners in a sustainable world," he said adding that both the countries share values and comfort and a sense of responsibility

Addressing Merkel, Modi said : "Your leadership is a source of confidence and reassurance at a difficult moment for Europe and the world...You have chosen to visit India despite many concerns at home."

The PM said German engineering and Indian IT "can create the next wave."

Merkel, in her address, said both sides made "made best possible use of time" and will signed a host of agreements.
"Economic relations are of great importance...We are gratified to know that our SMEs are welcome in India," she said.

"There are a number of areas where we agreed - greatly enhancing cooperation in science technology and vocational fields."

The German Chancellor said: "We believe that India's experience in digitisation will help us. There is great room for further projects."

She laid emphasis on energy cooperation, particularly in rural areas, saying sustainable development can only be ensured when you rural areas are taken care of.

Earlier, the two leaders held talks  at  Hyderabad House on various issues,  with a special focus on boosting trade ties.

Cooperation in the fields of defence, security, education, renewable energy, agriculture and skill development were also on the agenda.

"Bringing Berlin and New Delhi closer. PM @narendramodi greets Chancellor Merkel at Hyderabad House,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup had  tweeted.

India and Germany are strategic partners since 2001. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest foreign investor in India.

Earlier in the day, Merkel, who , who is in India on a three-day official visit, was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj called on the German leader ahead of delegational level talks between the two sides.

After her reception, Merkel said  her country will cooperate with India in several key areas to support the ambitious programes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

" Germany fully  intends to support the ambitious program that PM Modi has outlined for the development of this nation," she said.

"We will co-operate on areas such as economy, agriculture, internal security, defence matters and financial relations," the German Chancellor added.

.  During her visit,  Merkel will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday  before heading to Bangalore for a business conference.

Merkel would depart for Bengaluru, Karnataka, at 6pm on Monday. She  would visit the Robert Bosch Engineering and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru on Tuesday. She would also attend a business forum organised by NASSCOM and Frauenhofer Institute, Bengaluru.