VOIWORLD/NEW DELHI
In signs of India and Germany coming close after years of some invisible differences, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz has begun an official visit to India from 24-26 October 2024 for the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). The visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
Chancellor Scholz has visited India twice last year, for a bilateral State Visit in February 2023 and to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023.
On 25 October, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Scholz will co-chair the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations. Chancellor Scholz will be accompanied by senior Ministers in his cabinet for the IGC consultations. The IGC is a whole-of-government framework under which Ministers from both sides hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility and report on the outcome of their deliberations to the Prime Minister and Chancellor.
Both leaders will hold bilateral talks to discuss enhanced security and defence cooperation, greater opportunities for mobility of talent, deeper economic cooperation, Green and Sustainable Development Partnership and collaboration in the area of emerging and strategic technologies. Discussions will also focus on important regional and global developments.
Both leaders will also address the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2024) being held in New Delhi on 25 October. The APK, a biennial event for business leaders, executives, and political representatives from Germany and the countries in Indo-Pacific, is expected to give a further fillip to trade and investment ties between our two countries. About 650 top business leaders and CEOs from Germany, India, and other countries are expected to participate in the event.
Chancellor Scholz will then travel to Goa, where the German naval frigate “Baden-Wuerttemberg” and combat support ship “Frankfurt am Main” will make a scheduled port call as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment.
India and Germany have a strategic partnership since 2000. Over the years, this partnership has deepened and diversified across various sectors. The two countries are celebrating 50 years of Science and Technology collaboration this year. As we enter the 25th year of strategic partnership, the visit of Chancellor Scholz will pave the way for further strengthening of our bilateral ties.
