PM Modi hails 'fruitful' talks with German Chancellor Merkel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday termed the bilateral talks he held with Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel as 'fruitful', adding that the two leaders had discussed ways to strengthen the ties between New Delhi and Berlin.

Prime Minister Modi took to twitter to share the talks between the two leaders.

"An extensive and fruitful bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel. Discussed ways to strengthen India-Germany ties," he wrote.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel met earlier in the day on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit.

"Our relations are deepening...Waiting for your visit - German Chancellor Angela Merkel to PM @narendramodi," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin's twitter handle revealed.

Bilateral relations between India and Germany have traditionally been strong due to substantial commercial, cultural and strategic co-operation. Both countries also share a strategic partnership and relations are based on a sound foundation of mutual respect, understanding and support.

Germany continues to be India's largest trading partner in Europe and is currently the eighth largest foreign direct investor in India. In the period 2000-2012, foreign direct investment from Germany totalled about $5.2 billion, constituting about three per cent of total FDI to India. Indian investments in Germany too have seen sharp increase in last few years.