India, Germany discuss partnering in skill development

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed a host of issues, including cooperation in skill development, clean energy and cleaning of rivers.

Modi lauded Germany's remarkable economic resurgence over the past decade and described India and Germany as "made for each other" because of complementary skills and resources to power the next generation of industrial development through partnering in manufacturing and infrastructure development, an official release here said.

He also suggested that using Germany's strength and experience in the area of skill development, both sides could develop a concrete, time-bound plan for training of Indian youth to meet Indian needs and the global requirement of skilled human resource.

He also called for taking forward the ongoing cooperation in the area of clean energy and forging new partnerships in the areas of solid waste management, waste water treatment and cleaning of rivers.

It was agreed that both sides will undertake preparations to finalise a concrete roadmap for cooperation in each of these areas at the next Inter-Governmental Consultations meeting, the release said.

During the meeting, Steinmeier conveyed Germany's strong desire to work together with the new government in India to further expand and deepen bilateral relations.

Steinmeier, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, will also hold talks with Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Steinmeier began his India visit Saturday.