India-Germany likely to sign nearly 20 pacts during Merkel's IGC visit

India and Germany are expected to sign nearly 20 agreements during German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to India, sources said. The visit is scheduled from October 31 - November 02, which will focus on economic and trade relations, innovation and digitization. India and Germany will also explore the possibilities for cooperation in newer areas like green urban mobility and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Separate engagement with CEOs and business leaders

Angela Merkel will visit India for the fifth biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) and will be accompanied by several Ministers, State Secretaries of the federal government and a high-powered business delegation. Under the IGC format, the counterpart Ministers will hold discussions on their respective areas and submit the report to IGC chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Angela Merkel. Prime Minister Modi and Merkel will have a separate engagement with CEOs and business leaders of both countries.

Read: Angela Merkel: Talks With India To Focus On The Trade Relations

Focus on trade relations, innovation, and digitalisation

Merkel, in a message, said that she was happy at the prospect of meeting Prime Minister Modi and discuss bilateral relations with him. “IGCs give us the opportunity to talk about the whole breadth of the future of our relationship. This time, the focus will be economic and trade relations, innovation and digitalisation, and climate protection and sustainable development,” she said.

“Additionally, we will talk about how we can work towards climate protection and sustainable development in our relationship. We will also discuss foreign and security policy issues -- that means that our discussion will cover a large spectrum,” she added.

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Merkel fascinated by India

Merkel said that the story of non-violence and non-violent protests for democracy and peace impresses her and it is one of the reasons she is fascinated by India.

“Today, I am especially impressed by the developmental dynamics of India. All of us know that India has great potential,” the German Chancellor said in a statement. “Therefore, it is important that we, as Germans, the largest trade partner of India in the EU, work further for the strengthening of our relationship,” she added.

Read: German Chancellor Angela Merkel To Visit India Between Oct 31- Nov 02

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