Indian PM Modi tells Merkel India and Germany 'made for one another'

[nitpicker]

http://www.dw.com/en/indian-pm-modi-tells-merkel-india-and-germany-made-for-one-another/a-39043653

30.05.2017

Indian PM Modi tells Merkel India and Germany 'made for one another'
(snip)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel again emphasized the need for Europe to take a more proactive role in international politics. She made her remarks during a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin on Tuesday, two days after her controversial statement questioning the future of the transatlantic alliance. Merkel and Modi met as part of the fourth edition of the two countries' biennial Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) on trade, investment and strategic relations.

Ahead of the meetings, the two leaders attended a press conference where they signed agreements covering everything from cybercrime to railway safety to an annual one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in German development aid for India, particularly in the area of sustainable urban development.

Afterwards, Merkel and Modi, both of whom seemed very relaxed as they chatted with one another during the signing ceremonies, offered their thoughts on German-Indian relations. Merkel said that the two countries had discussed a range of topics from development to terrorism. "We've intensified our bilateral relationships in a variety of areas," Merkel said, "but I also talked with the prime minister yesterday evening about shaping the global order."

"We talked in great detail about all of the topics on a ministerial level," Modi, who arrived in Berlin on Monday evening, added. "The partnership is advantageous to both countries, but I think our relationship also has great significance internationally."

According to differing estimates, Germany did between 17 and almost 20 billion euros in trade with India in 2016, with Germany enjoying a 0.3 percent trade surplus. Germany is India's biggest trading partner within the EU. With more than 1.3 billion inhabitants, India is the second most populous nation in the world, and its economy is projected to grow by 7.4 percent this year, so the business opportunities there are enormous. Both sides would like to see closer German-Indian cooperation.

In particular, Modi wants to increase the proportion of industrial production in the Indian GDP to 25 percent by 2025. German companies currently invest between 9 and nearly 13 billion euros in India, but the Indian Prime Minister would like to see far more German money coming to his country. "We've made a quantum leap here economically," Modi said. "German industry plays a very important role in India's development. Investments from Germany are being supported. In future we'll be concentrating on middle-class investments."

Modi said that India wanted to work together with German industry to develop the country's infrastructure, and he specifically highlighted the importance of the "smart cities" program. "We'd like to be seen as a positive partner, and we're always willing to work together with you," Modi said. "We're practically made for one another."

The two government delegations spend Tuesday in Berlin's Hotel Adlon holding closed-door talks about further economic cooperation.
(snip)

[delisen]

1. India & Germany-remind world is bigger than US Britain Russia

[DetlefK]

2. India is desperately looking for geopolitical allies.

India's main rival China is making long strides by investing in Africa and with the Silk-Road project.

India is so desperate for allies that they are giving away satellites.