NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and discussed cooperation under their overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. The meeting was held prior to the sixth-round of Biennial Inter Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.
Prime Minister Modi, who reached Berlin on the first-stage of Europe tour, was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and received by Chancellor Scholz at the Federal Chancellery. The two leaders thereafter met in one-on-one format, followed by delegation level talks.
"Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The Prime Minister Office in a tweet stated: "The Inter-Governmental Consultation between India and Germany illustrate the special nature of this friendship. Prime Minister @narendramodi, Chancellor Scholz and top Ministers from India and Germany meet in Berlin."
Modi had earlier met Chancellor Scholz at G20 last year in his previous capacity as Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister.
Early in the day, Modi reached Berlin, his first stop in the three-nation visit to Germany, Denmark, and France. Soon after landing in the German capital, Modi tweeted: "Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany."
Ministry of External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "On his first visit abroad this year, Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives to a warm reception in Berlin. Looking forward to reinvigorating the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, advancing our wide-ranging cooperation, and enhancing multilateral coordination."
After reaching there, several people from the Indian community came and welcomed the Prime Minister. "Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora," Modi said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, as one of the deliverables of the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), India and Germany on Monday signed -- virtually -- a joint declaration on Forest Landscape Restoration and on agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources.
The Joint Declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration was signed -- virtually -- between India's Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav and Germany's Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Steffi Lemke.
It will provide the platform to further advance the partnership between the two countries and support in areas such as conservation and restoration, climate protection and conservation of bio-diversity, the government said.
On the other hand, India's Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar and Germany's Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze signed the declaration, again, in a virtual mode, with regards to agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources.
Under this initiative, Germany intends to provide up to 300 million euros by the year 2025 for financial and technical cooperation for projects.
For the changing agenda of agro-ecology, the two countries envisage the establishment of a joint research centre supported by financial cooperation to develop and share cutting edge knowledge with practitioners from India, Germany and other countries, while facilitating value-added technology and scientific transfer, officials said.
A working group will be set up with the ministries concerned, namely, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the NITI Aayog to oversee the implementation. (IANS)
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