PM Modi, Chancellor Merkel inaugurate India pavilion at Hannover Messe

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday jointly inaugurated the India pavilion at the Hannover Messe industrial fair.

Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minster Modi invited the countries and companies present to collaborate with India.

"The Hannover Messe is known all over the world. Industries from all over the world come here to showcase what they have done. This year, India is a partner nation and I thank Germany for making India a partner Nation," Prime Minister Modi said.

"The entire world is looking at India. Demography, democracy and demand are drawing the world to India. Come to India, increase your partnership with India and make use of this opportunity India offers to scale new heights of success," he added.

Prime Minister Modi, currently in Germany for the second leg of his three-nation tour, on Sunday vowed to remove unnecessary regulations and procedures to simplify the process of foreign investment in India, as well as to make it easier for other countries to initiate business deals.

He also attended a round table conference with German CEOs, with Voith CEO Dr.Hubert Lienhard and Bombardier Transportation CEO Lutz Bertling among those present at the meeting.

The Prime Minister arrived in Hannover after concluding a successful visit to France. He will depart for Canada, the final leg of his three-nation, nine-day tour on April 14. His first destination is Ottawa.