New Delhi: India and Germany on Monday signed as many as 18 pacts to scale of ties in strategic areas.
Agreements to expedite approvals for German companies in India and Euro 1 billion solar power fund by Germany were also signed between the two countries as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussings with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Both Modi and Merkel co-chairing the third summit-level Inter-Governmental Consultations, agreed to enhance ties in key areas of defence, security, intelligence, railways, trade and investment, clean energy.
They also agreed to work closely to combat threat of terrorism.
The deal on fast-track approvals process for German firms envisages single point clearance for various projects which is aimed at encouraging more and more German companies to complement Modi’s “Make in India” initiative and invest significantly.
Germany announced to provide assistance of over one billion euros for India’s solar projects.
The pacts signed included a Joint Declaration of Intent between HRD ministry and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany on promotion of German as a foreign language in India and the promotion of Modern Indian Languages in Germany.
India and Germany also agreed to work together to reach an “ambitious” climate agreement in Paris later this year and stressed that adaptation must be a central part of a balanced accord.
Another pact was signed on cooperation in food safety between the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Modi conveyed India’s concerns to German Chancellor Angela Merkel over banning of over 700 drugs two months back and asked her to use her influence in EU to remove the impediments for resumption of FTA talks with the 28-member bloc.
