Trade, security key issues in Modi-Merkel talks

Trade and security will be among the key issues that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on October 5, during which she is expected to convey problems faced by German industries in proceeding with planned investments.

Briefing reporters on the Chancellor’s visit, German Ambassador Martin Ney said Merkel, who will be arriving in the national Capital on Sunday night, will co-chair with Modi the 3rd Inter-Governmental Consultations, which were expected to come out with “path-breaking results” and inking of “substantial agreements”. However, he did not divulge details of the <g data-gr-id="36">pacts</g>.

On her three-day visit, during which she will also travel to <g data-gr-id="29">Bangaluru</g> – where she along with Modi will attend a business forum, Merkel will be accompanied by six Cabinet ministers and a high-profile business delegation.

Ney said bilateral economic relations were becoming closer and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce was the biggest German bi-national Chamber outside Germany with over 7,000 German and Indian member companies across many sectors. However, he also noted that German industries have high expectations and also seek resolution of certain issues like “questions of corruption, questions of <g data-gr-id="38">framework</g> for investments, safety of taxation, Intellectual Property Rights” and legal redressal for “ease of doing business”.

“....Industries say we need greater progress in order to implement these planned investments. The two leaders will address these issues definitely in a friendly manner,” the German envoy added.

Asked if the issue of the stalled India-EU Free Trade Agreement will figure during the talks, he said it was high time that parleys on it should resume because it will help resolve issues on the negotiating table. “The issue would be picked up during the talks,” he added. India, he felt, should be part of the network of trade agreements between countries globally.

The two sides “will not just talk the talk, but deliver tangible results,” he said, adding, “let it <g data-gr-id="43">be suffice</g> to say that the outcome will reflect the broad spectrum of deliberations of the consultations. The deliverables will cover the areas of security, <g data-gr-id="40">economy</g>, development cooperation, climate, clean energy...and food security.” 

In addition to government-to-government or G2G agreements, German enterprises are expected to conclude momentous deals with Indian business partners, Ney said.  Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest foreign investor in India. This visit would be an opportunity to consolidate stronger strategic, political and economic partnership between India and Germany.

Modi and Merkel will also exchange views on regional and global issues of common concern, said the MEA in a release.