Angela Merkel says can develop India ties and keep up US relationship

Merkel says after meeting Indian PM Modi, who called Berlin 'a very reliable partner'

Germany wants to develop ties with India and this should not be at the cost of its trans-Atlantic relationship, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday after meeting India's prime minister, who called Berlin "a very reliable partner".

Merkel talked about developing cooperation with India and added: "That's of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future."

On Monday, Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally but said she was a "convinced trans-Atlanticist", fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier.