Merkel visit: 18 MoUs inked, India to fast-track German business

New Delhi India and Germany on Monday gave a major boost to their bilateral ties especially in the economic field by inking 18 MoUs including one for setting up a fasttrack system for German companies in India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks hereThe range of MoUs includes one on security cooperation and another for promotion of German as a foreign language in India and for the promotion of Modern Indian languages in GermanyClimate change was a major focus of talks and both sides decided to forge an IndoGerman Climate and Renewable Alliance a partnership to harness technology innovation and finance in order to make affordable clean and renewable energy accessible to all and foster climate change mitigation effortsThe two sides issued a Joint Statement on Climate Change and Energy Technology Cooperation after the Third InterGovernmental Consultation IGC a bilateral mechanism that India has only with Germany Modi in his speech termed the mechanism of IGC as unique saying it had helped bring growth in relationsWe see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of Indias economic transformation German strengths and Indias priorities are aligned And so is our mutual goodwill he said after holding the 3rd IGC with Merkel herePrime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel befor a meeting at Hyderabad house in New Delhi on Monday Pic PTI He said both sides have convergence of views and rapidly growing cooperation in the field of clean energy and combating climate change Modi thanked Germany for its over 1 billion euro aid each for Indias Green Energy Corridor project and for solar projects in IndiaWe look forward to a concrete outcome at COP21 Conference of Parties in Paris Modi said He said both sides will see a boost in partnership in areas of defence manufacturing trade in advanced technology intelligence and countering terrorism and radicalism He thanked Germany for its strong support for Indias membership of the international export control regimesAs we discussed in the G4 Summit in New York Chancellor and I are committed to pursue reforms of the United Nations especially the Security Council Modi said He also thanked Merkel for the return of a 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar from Jammu and Kashmir Modi said the statue was a symbol of the victory of good over evilHe said This also suggests that in this age of transitions and turmoil IndiaGermany partnership will be a force of good for the world Merkel in her media statement said both sides held very good IGC and bilateral talks She said the IGC mechanism has underscored the intensity of bilateral ties with India She said the inking of so many agreements was a testimony to the dynamic relationsThe chancellor said more than 1500 German companies were in India and more would be glad to open up in the country She commended the inking of the fasttrack agreement on German companies The speed at which you grant licences has increased which is a good thing Merkel saidThe earlier IGC was held in 2011 and then again in 2013 It is held every two years said Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar briefing reporters after the talks He said both sides discussed the EUIndia free trade agreement and there was an understanding to go forward with the negotiationsBoth sides discussed areas of cooperation in vocational training skills railways renewables green corridor In talks on the region the neighbourhood to the west of us was discussed alluding to Pakistan as well as Afghanistan and the issue of terrorism he saidBoth sides inked an agreement on security cooperation an MoU on Solar Energy Partnership for cooperation in the field of Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training on Security Cooperation railways and for cooperation in disaster managementBoth sides also issued a joint statement after the talks Both Modi and Merkel who arrived here on Sunday will meet on Tuesday in Bengaluru and host a joint business meet Merkel is to also visit the Bosch unit there