PM Modi to visit Germany in April for better ties, Merkel to reciprocate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Germany on a bilateral trip next April and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a return visit in the same year as India and Germany deepen ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Germany on a bilateral trip next April and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a return visit in the same year as India and Germany deepen ties.

PM Modi’s visit in April has been planned to coincide with the Hannover Messe Fair, and its inauguration. India is the partner country of the fair in 2015. US will be the fair’s partner country in 2016 while Russia was the partner country last year. The fair, which focuses on Industry 4.0 — a concept billed as the fourth industrial revolution, driven by the internet and smart communication strategies — will be held from April 12 to 17, 2015.

Merkel is set to pay a visit to India leading a large delegation later this year, making 2015 a year where the two countries look to expand their ties — driven by an ambitious agenda that reflects Modi’s pet initiatives of Make in India and skill development.

“The year 2015 will be an important year for India-German ties. India is the partner country in the Hannover fair, which is an opportunity for India to increase its global presence and could provide a fillip to the Make in India campaign,” German ambassador to India Michael Steiner told HT.

The envoy said the Chancellor’s visit to India would provide another opportunity for the two countries to firm up their ties, where economic vision plays a larger role. A special importance is given in the field of vocational education and training to create industry-institute linkages and provide skilled manpower for various sectors in the Indian economy.

Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe. German FDI in India between 1991 and 2014 is valued at $7 .68 billion.