Prime minister Manmohan Singh and Merkel are set to hold talks on diverse issues from counter-terrorism, defence and sharing of technologies to climate change, trade and reform of global institutions.
Economic, defence and environmental issues will top the agenda when German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers start their visit to India on Tuesday.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh and Merkel are set to hold talks on diverse issues from counter-terrorism, defence and the sharing of technologies to climate change, trade and reform of global institutions, including the IMF.
A deal to supply India with 126 fighter jets is most likely part of the agenda. German consortium Eurofighter Typhoon is one of two countries vying for the $11 billion contract.
Merkel’s one-day visit promises to be a substantive one with six senior Cabinet ministers from Germany holding separate talks with their Indian counterparts to expand cooperation in areas like defence, security, renewable energy and economic ties.
In the race for bagging the multi-billion dollar combat aircraft deal, German defence minister Thomas de Maizere will meet his Indian counterpart AK Antony. “The two sides are expected to discuss ways to increase security cooperation and strengthen counter-piracy measures along with the Indian Air Force (IAF) deal to procure 126 Medium Weight-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA),” defence ministry officials said.
At a briefing by the MEA, officials said India was open to discussing civil nuclear cooperation but would respect Germany’s domestic sentiment. Germany has decided to shut down all their nuclear power plants by 2022.
The two countries are also expected to sign a number of agreements in various areas including science, technology and vocational training. The two sides will discuss closer cooperation in a host of areas including IT, small and medium enterprises, bio-technology, infrastructure and entertainment.
Germany and India are celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries. To honour this milestone Germany will present a 15 month series of events “Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities” across various cities in India.
During her stay Merkel will also be honoured with the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for her efforts towards sustainable and equitable development.
The agenda for the Singh-Merkel talks was firmed up on Monday when external affairs minister SM Krishna and his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle discussed wide-ranging issues including international terrorism, recent regional developments, reform of the United Nations Security Council.
-With agency inputs
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}