Singh, Merkel ink six deals to enhance mutual cooperation
12 April 2013 6:18 AM IST
The agreements were signed in the presence of visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the second inter-governmental meeting between the two countries.
The prime minister and the chancellor co-chaired the meeting and discussed the areas of cooperation.
Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Manmohan Singh said the high level bilateral engagement between the two countries in the recent years had substantially and tangibly raised the quality of cooperation across a broad range of areas.
‘We look forward to expand defence cooperation anchored in technology transfer, co-development and co-production in India,’ he said.
India’s Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and German parliamentary state secretary Gudrun Kopp signed an agreement for establishment of a ‘green energy corridor.’
Two agreements were signed to enhance cooperation in education and research.
Joint declarations of intents were signed for cooperation in agriculture, food security and civil security research.
‘High technology commerce would benefit from further easing of German export controls to India. The agreement today on scientific collaboration on technologies for civilian security adds a new dimension to our growing security cooperation,’ Manmohan Singh said.
Chancellor Markel said the inter-governmental talks had helped strengthen economic and strategic ties signalling a big step.
INDIA, GERMANY PUSHING FOR EARLY CONCLUSION OF FTA
India and Germany on Thursday agreed to push for an early conclusion of India-EU trade and investment agreement, which is expected to substantially enhance trade and investment flow.
‘We agreed on the importance of an early conclusion of a balanced India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement,’ Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after an inter-governmental consultation in Berlin.
Manmohan Singh said some issues related to tariff protection and intellectual property rights were holding back the progress on the talks. India has been negotiating a broad-based trade and investment agreement with the EU since 2007.
The talks have missed several deadlines. The progress on the deal has been stalled due to disagreements on issues like import duties on automobiles, pharma and alcoholic products, and trade in services and intellectual property rights.
While the 27-nation EU has been pushing for greater market access for its products like automobiles, wines and spirits, India is seeking greater access for its professionals, the grant of ‘data secure’ nation status by the EU. Hiking FDI in insurance is also crucial for the deal.
The prime minister and the chancellor co-chaired the meeting and discussed the areas of cooperation.
Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Manmohan Singh said the high level bilateral engagement between the two countries in the recent years had substantially and tangibly raised the quality of cooperation across a broad range of areas.
‘We look forward to expand defence cooperation anchored in technology transfer, co-development and co-production in India,’ he said.
India’s Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and German parliamentary state secretary Gudrun Kopp signed an agreement for establishment of a ‘green energy corridor.’
Two agreements were signed to enhance cooperation in education and research.
Joint declarations of intents were signed for cooperation in agriculture, food security and civil security research.
‘High technology commerce would benefit from further easing of German export controls to India. The agreement today on scientific collaboration on technologies for civilian security adds a new dimension to our growing security cooperation,’ Manmohan Singh said.
Chancellor Markel said the inter-governmental talks had helped strengthen economic and strategic ties signalling a big step.
INDIA, GERMANY PUSHING FOR EARLY CONCLUSION OF FTA
India and Germany on Thursday agreed to push for an early conclusion of India-EU trade and investment agreement, which is expected to substantially enhance trade and investment flow.
‘We agreed on the importance of an early conclusion of a balanced India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement,’ Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after an inter-governmental consultation in Berlin.
Manmohan Singh said some issues related to tariff protection and intellectual property rights were holding back the progress on the talks. India has been negotiating a broad-based trade and investment agreement with the EU since 2007.
The talks have missed several deadlines. The progress on the deal has been stalled due to disagreements on issues like import duties on automobiles, pharma and alcoholic products, and trade in services and intellectual property rights.
While the 27-nation EU has been pushing for greater market access for its products like automobiles, wines and spirits, India is seeking greater access for its professionals, the grant of ‘data secure’ nation status by the EU. Hiking FDI in insurance is also crucial for the deal.
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