M A I N   N E W S

Manmohan in Germany, to seek greater business ties
Also hopes to garner Berlin’s support for India-EU trade pact 
Dinesh Kumar in Berlin

April 10
India and Germany are set to sign a number of trade and business-related agreements and memorandums of understanding in areas ranging from infrastructure, manufacturing, science and technology, higher education, vocational training and clean and renewable energy during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s two-day visit that began here today.

India also hopes to seek Berlin’s support for an early conclusion of a balanced India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement while proposing that Europe keep its doors open to Indian investors and professionals. Germany is the most significant actor in Eurozone and is seen by India as a major potential investor along with being a critical source of science and technology and vocational training.

Although no defence and security related agreement or MoU is expected to be signed, the two sides will discuss areas of mutual security concerns, including Afghanistan, and hold a strategic dialogue. “We have always discussed Afghanistan with Germany. Germany has a troop presence in Afghanistan and has been a lead country on reforming and restructuring the police in that country,” said an official. As countries withdraw their forces from Afghanistan, India is keen that that country is not marked by uncertainty and instability.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is accompanied by a high-power delegation that includes five Cabinet ministers, is here to participate in the second round of Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) with Germany at the invitation of German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel. The ministers comprise External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid,

HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju, Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Anand Sharma, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister S. Jaipal Reddy and New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah. In addition, the delegation comprises a long list of bureaucrats, including National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

The Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) scheduled for tomorrow morning is being preceded by foreign minister-level discussions on how the two countries can take forward the G4 proposal and on how to deal with those groups within the UN system who hold a different view on the subject. The G4 comprises Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, all contenders for the post of permanent member to the UN Security Council.

That Germany is a significant investor in India is evident from it being the eighth largest foreign direct investor while also being a crucial source of technology. The area of science and technology in turn remains one of the central pillars of bilateral strategic partnership considering that the two countries are engaged in over 150 joint science and technology projects.

Crucial visit
* Germany is the most significant actor in Eurozone and is seen by India as a major potential investor 

* It is the eighth largest foreign direct investor in India and also a crucial source of technology

* The area of science and technology remains one of the central pillars of bilateral strategic partnership, considering that the countries are engaged in over 150 joint science and technology projects