Owing to her poor medical condition, Chancellor Merkel's difficulties in standing without support are known and lately, she has been seen seated at several ceremonial events, both at home and abroad, which would have normally required her to stand.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel who is on a 3-day visit to India starting on October 31 will remain seated when the national anthems of India and Germany are played during the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan on November 1, the Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA) stated.
Owing to her poor medical condition, Chancellor Merkel's difficulties in standing without support are known and lately, she has been seen seated at several ceremonial events, both at home and abroad, which would have normally required her to stand. Certain provisions from the Order relating to the National Anthem of India will be invoked to allow Merkel to be seated while the national anthem of India is played.
The exemption as per the Order is being invoked based on a request from the German side to accommodate Chancellor's wish to be accorded the ceremonial welcome.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will start her three-day India visit on October 31 to participate in the 5th Biennial Indo-German Integovnmental consultations (IGC).
Ahead of the visit, Merkel lauded "the largest democracy in the world" and said that her country would want to "work in the economics field" with New Delhi, especially relating to "issues of smart cities, renewable energy and new forms of mobility".
"We will talk about how we can work towards climate protection and sustainable development in our relationship" and discuss "foreign and security policy issues--that means that our discussion will cover a large sepctrum," she said.
Adding, Merkel said she is "especially impressed by the developmental dynamics of India" and it is important that "we, as Germans, the largest trade partner of India in the EU, work further for the strengthening of our relationship and learn from India..that would be a good win-win situation for both countries."
While Chancellor Merkel last visited India in October 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been to Germany 4 times-- first in April 2015 when India was the partner country at Hannover Messe, which is one of the world's largest trade fairs and then twice in 2017 - for the 4th IGC meet and G20 Summit - and then again last year.
Merkel will conclude her visit on November 2.
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