German Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to watch Germany’s efforts to lift the World Cup on Sunday, leaving her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in doubt.
There is no official confirmation yet on the two leaders meeting from either of the government. Modi will be leaving for Brazil on July 13 to attend the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit on July 15-16.
The possibility of a stopover meeting on way to Brazil is almost nil because Merkel will be away that day.
Though the PM stops over at Frankfurt again on way back home after attending the summit, sources said as of now there is no meeting scheduled.
The BRICS summit meetings will be held in two venues in Fortaleza, on the northeastern coast of Brazil, and then in Brasilia.
At Brasilia, the capital capital, Modi is expected to meet some leaders of South American countries, invited by host President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil.
German President Joachim Gauck’s office said on Wednesday that both he and Merkel would travel to Rio de Janeiro for the FIFA world cup final. Sunday’s match will be Merkel’s second at this World Cup. She cheered for Germany’s opening match against Portugal last month, which Joachim Loew’s team won 4-0.
{{/usCountry}}German President Joachim Gauck’s office said on Wednesday that both he and Merkel would travel to Rio de Janeiro for the FIFA world cup final. Sunday’s match will be Merkel’s second at this World Cup. She cheered for Germany’s opening match against Portugal last month, which Joachim Loew’s team won 4-0.
{{/usCountry}}Merkel has frequently appeared at Germany matches since the country hosted the World Cup in 2006. A meeting between Modi and Merkel is expected to give a push to bilateral ties.