Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Germany

The fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations [IGC] between India and Germany were held in Berlin. It was attended by Indian PM Modi and German counterpart Angela Merkel.

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the German Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel agreed to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany by deepening cooperation on foreign policy and security issues as well as on sustainable development and enhanced trade and investment ties.

Both Leaders welcomed the cooperation in disaster management under the work plan agreed in the Joint Declaration of Intent signed between the two countries for cooperation on investing in creation of knowledge, expertise and information exchange.

They agreed that policies such as the ‘Make in India’ initiative offer investment opportunities for German companies. Both the Leaders welcomed the full implementation of the Fast Track System for German companies, as agreed during the last consultations, in the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The Fast Track System has been enabling both sides to identify and solve problems faced by German Companies and investors in their operations in India. Apart from this, the Fast Track System also serves as a platform for discussing general suggestions from the point of view of German companies and Investors with regard to ease of doing business in India.

Both sides welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation in the field of Vocational Education and skill development for the Machine Tools Sector and of the Joint Declaration of Intent on the advancement of dual VET and collaboration on Training of VET Cluster Managers and Indian Skill Development Officers.

The Leaders also welcomed the “Alliance on Dual VET” (Vocational Education and Training) founded by Indian industrialists and leaders of major Indian companies, aspiring to ensure India’s industries’ proactive participation in strengthening skills and employability of young people.

Both sides welcomed the entering into force of the German-Indian social security agreement on 1 May 2017. This wide encompassing Agreement includes Totalisation and Exportability of benefits and ensures and coordinates the social protection of nationals of both countries in the area of social security and payment of pensions even in the case of residence in the other contracting state.

Both sides expressed their continued commitment to further develop the Indo German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) by expanding the existing thematic research scope in order to include topical areas such as climate change impact on coastal infrastructure and adaptation strategies concerning water resources.

Both leaders took note of the decision of the Max-Planck Society and the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi to continue their successful “Indo-German Collaboration in Computer Sciences”. The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Indian Council for Medical Research intend to focus their future cooperation on Chronic Viral Disease and Anti-Microbial Resistance.

List of MoUs/Agreements signed during the visit:

1 JDI on Cooperation in the Field of Digitalization, Empowerment and Economic Impact
2 Collaboration on Training of Indian Skill Development Officers and Cluster Managers
3 JDI on Indo-German Centre for Sustainability
4 JDI on German Indian Cooperation on Cyber Policy
5 JDI on Indo-German Development Cooperation
6 JDI on continuation of cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate and junior executives from India
7 JDI on Cooperation in Vocational Education and skill development for Machine Tools
8 Cooperation in Health Sector
9 Cooperation in Alternative Medicine
10 JDI on Collaboration between Foreign Service Institutes
11 JDI on Cooperation in Railway Safety
12 JDI on Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development