As a follow up to the previous meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and PM Narendra Modi in Hannover earlier this year, the two world leaders met at the Indo-German summit in Bangalore at the Bosch facility in central Bengaluru.
Pitching for better collaboration between the two countries, Modi said, "We see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of India's economic transformation. German strengths and India's priorities are aligned."
Speaking on the same lines, the German Chancellor said, "German engineering and India's IT expertise are fused here in Bengaluru."
Let’s take a look at 5 major takeaways from Merkel’s India visit:
1. After three-hour long talks, both the respective heads of state agreed on a total of 18 deals. Earlier, the PM had said, "We have taken very decisive steps to remove a number of long-pending concerns of investors." He added, citing the “Digital India” campaign, “It is the software of India that will move the hardware of the world."
2. Germany will provide investments worth of $2.25 billion in India’s renewable energy endeavors, mainly in the solar energy sector.
3. The two countries have agreed to resume the India-EU Free Trade Agreement talks for the first time since 2007, when the talks broke off, which will help boost bilateral trade further between the countries.
India's software will move hardware across the world. India's talent will master technology & our market will motivate manufacturing.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2015
India's software will move hardware across the world. India's talent will master technology & our market will motivate manufacturing.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2015
I laud Chancellor Merkel for her vision where German engineering & Indian IT fuse to create world class products.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2015
Witnessing the various technological innovations at Bosch. pic.twitter.com/s5sx61O4ce
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2015
As she leaves India, gratitude to Chancellor Merkel. This has been a productive visit, which has taken India-Germany ties to newer heights.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 20154. A fast-track approval agreement which was signed ensures that German companies will have a single point of contact with the Indian government without any red tape.
5. German language will be taught as one of the foreign languages by the Kendriya Vidalayas and other central schools while modern Indian languages will be taught in Germany.