PM Modi begins discussion with German Chancellor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have begun their discussions at the Hyderabad House here on Monday.

"Discussions begin...Chancellor Merkel and PM @narendramodi begin their talks" tweeted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Prime Minister Modi and Merkel will hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening bilateral engagement in defence, security, education, renewable energy, skill development and agriculture.

Merkel is expected to convey the concerns of German industries in proceeding with planned investments in India. Both leaders are also likely to exchange views on regional and global issues, including climate change.

"Bringing Berlin and New Delhi closer. PM @narendramodi greets Chancellor Merkel at Hyderabad House," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

The German Chancellor will take part in the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.

The German Chancellor, who received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here earlier today, said that her country fully intends to support the ambitious program that Prime Minister Modi has outlined for the development of this nation.

Prime Minister Modi had yesterday said that he looks forward to fruitful discussions with the German Chancellor.

"Namaste Chancellor Merkel! Warm welcome to you & the delegation. I look forward to fruitful discussions & strengthening India-Germany ties," he tweeted.

Merkel would later in the evening call on President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

She would depart for Bengaluru, Karnataka, at 6 p.m. today. Merkel would visit the Robert Bosch Engineering and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru on Tuesday. She would also attend a business forum organised by NASSCOM and Frauenhofer Institute, Bengaluru.

India and Germany are strategic partners since 2001. Germany is India's largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest foreign investor in India.