Visit of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Angela Merkel to India

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of External Affairs
01-October, 2015 19:04 IST
Visit of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Angela Merkel to India from 4-6 October 2015
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel will be visiting India from 4-6 October 2015 for the 3rd Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany. She will be accompanied by a large delegation including several Cabinet Ministers. A high profile business delegation will also accompany the Chancellor.

The IGC is a unique Summit-level dialogue with Cabinet participation of both Governments that helps advance the bilateral partnership across the whole range of priority areas of mutual interest between the two countries. The 3rd IGC will seek to build on Prime Minister Modi’s successful visit to Germany in April 2015 to participate in the Hannover Messe where India was the Partner Country.

Chancellor Merkel will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday 4 October. On 5 October, she will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan, followed by a visit to Rajghat and official meetings between the two leaders and Inter-Governmental Consultations between the two delegations. The German Chancellor will also call on the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee. The External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will meet the German Foreign Minister Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeir and also call on the Chancellor.

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and The Chancellor Dr. Merkel will hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening bilateral engagement in defence, security, education, renewable energy, high technology manufacturing, skill development, science and technology, railways, water and waste management, urban development and agriculture. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of common concern.

The Chancellor and the Prime Minister will visit Bengaluru on 6 October, where both will participate in a business event hosted by NASSCOM on Industry 4.0 and also visit the innovation and skilling centres at the German company M/s Bosch.

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. Germany’s acknowledged competencies in manufacturing, skilling, high technology, clean energy, water and waste management etc. provide a robust foundation for enhanced partnerships in a range of priority areas. This visit would be an opportunity to consolidate stronger strategic, political and economic partnership between India and Germany.

 

[Arya Desa]

Do foreign Head of States visit pakistan?

 

[Hindustani78]

Trade, defence deals on Merkel’s agenda - The Hindu
Updated: October 2, 2015 00:37 IST

German Ambassador Martin Ney: I am sure that Chancellor Dr. Merkel and her Cabinet Ministers will bring along to India the jubilant spirit of this special celebration.

Merkel is expected to take advantage of Germany’s unique position in the Indian economy as it is the sixth largest trading partner
Just a few days after teaming up with India at the United Nations, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will arrive here on October 4. In a symbolic gesture, Dr. Merkel will board her flight to New Delhi a day after starting national celebrations for the 25th anniversary of German reunification.

Announcing the visit and explaining its various dimensions, German Ambassador to India Martin Ney described the timing of the Chancellor’s visit as “auspicious”. “October 3, 1990, is the happiest day in recent German history. I am sure that Chancellor Dr. Merkel and her Cabinet Ministers will bring along to India the jubilant spirit of this special celebration.”

The atmospherics of the visit will be lifted by the presence of six senior German Cabinet Ministers and a large business delegation that will be present at the India-Germany business meet to be held on October 6 here. Among the powerful Ministers will be Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Muller, Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Minister for Defence Ursua von der Leyen.

Free Trade Agreement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel will lead their respective teams at the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) to be held in Hyderabad House in the forenoon of October 5. The agenda will cover issues such as security, economy, development, cooperation, clean energy, climate change, infrastructure, urban mobility, innovation, higher education, skills development, culture and food security. Dr. Merkel will fly to Bengaluru to spend the third day of her trip touring German enterprises in India’s Silicon Valley.

Though most of the German Ministers will depart after the IGC and the Joint Press Statement by the two leaders, Mr. Steinmeier will spend a day more in Delhi holding dialogue with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

Mr. Muller will spend an extra day for interactions on India-Germany business cooperation. The German Ambassador highlighted that Dr. Merkel would take up the pending issue of India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and try to energise both Indian ties with Germany as well as the Union, where Germany is the leading power. Dr. Merkel is expected to take advantage of Germany’s unique position in the Indian economy where it is at present the sixth largest trading partner and the largest trading partner of India in EU. Defence teams on both sides are expected to discuss the supply of six German conventional submarines to India. “German defence companies will be bidding for conventional submarines in the coming months,” Dr. Ney said. But the bidding for the subs, estimated at around Rs. 50,000 crore, is expected to get more competitive as other countries have begun to show interest in the mega-contract. Reportedly, Germans are hopeful that having lost to the French in the Rafale aircraft deal, they will get lucky while meeting the demands of the Indian Navy.

 

[Human Nature]

Welcome to the God's own Country Dr. Merkel

 

[Hindustani78]

German Chancellor to arrive India on Sunday for three-day trip | Zee News

New Delhi: German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be visiting India from October 4-6 for the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.

The Chancellor will be accompanied by a large delegation, including several Cabinet Ministers and a high-profile business delegation, during her visit.

Though Chancellor Merkel will arrive in New Delhi on October4, she will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on October5, followed by a visit to Rajghat and official meetings between the two leaders and inter-governmental consultations between the two delegations. The Chancellor will also call upon by President Pranab Mukherjee.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also call on the Chancellor besides meeting German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merkel will hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening bilateral engagement in defence, security, education, renewable energy, high technology manufacturing, skill development, science and technology, railways, water and waste management, urban development and agriculture. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of common concern.

Both the leaders will visit Bengaluru on October 6 to participate in a business event hosted by the National Association of Software and Services Companies ( NASSCOM) on 'Industry 4.0', and also visit the innovation and skilling centres at a German company Bosch.

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.

The third IGC will seek to build on Prime Minister Modi's successful visit to Germany in April 2015 to participate in the Hannover Messe, where India was a Partner Country.

This visit would be an opportunity for both the nations to consolidate stronger strategic, political and economic partnership between them.

ANI


First Published: Saturday, October 3, 2015 - 21:15

 

[Hindustani78]

PM Modi welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel by tweeting 'namaste' | Zee News

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to India on Sunday night by tweeting 'namaste.'

The PM posted on the micro-blogging site Twitter: “Namaste Chancellor Merkel. Warm welcome to you and the delegation. I look forward to fruitful discussions and strengthening India-Germany ties.”

Merkel arrived in the national capital tonight and was welcomed at the airport by Union Minister Jayant Sinha among others.

PM Modi and the German Chancellor will hold wide-ranging talks here tomorrow to significantly scale up bilateral relations in an array of key sectors with special focus on boosting trade, security and defence ties.

The talks are likely to focus on deepening bilateral engagement in defence, security, education, renewable energy, high technology, skill development, science and technology, railways, water and waste management, urban development and agriculture. India and Germany are strategic partners since 2001, as per PTI.

Merkel's three-day visit here comes around six months after Modi's visit to Germany and there have been expectations of "path-breaking results" from the summit-level Inter- Governmental Consultations (IGC) between the two leaders who have been pushing for unlocking the potential and taking the ties to higher trajectory.

Modi and Merkel, accompanied by a large delegation of several Cabinet Ministers and top officials besides CEOs of several top German companies, are expected to delve deep on removing bottlenecks for expanding bilateral trade and investment.

The German Chancellor is expected to convey problems faced by German industries in proceeding with planned investments. Both the leaders are also likely to exchange views on regional and global issues of common concern such as climate change.

(With PTI inputs)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is received by the Minister of State for Finance, Jayant Sinha, on her arrival, at the Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi on Sunday.

 

[mkb95]

type 214 subs might be in discussion for project 75i.

 

[dadeechi]

type 214 subs might be in discussion for project 75i.

tere mooh mein ghee shakkar

 

[Hindustani78]

The German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel being received by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Jayant Sinha, on her arrival, at Air Force Station Palam, in New Delhi on October 04, 2015.

The German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel with the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel introducing the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to the German delegation, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

The German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, in Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, Dr. Gunter Krings meeting the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju and the German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, Dr. Gunter Krings signing an MoU on the Security Co-operation, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

Ministry of Home Affairs
05-October, 2015 17:58 IST
India and Germany sign MoU on Security Cooperation India and Germany have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Security Cooperation, here today.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju and the visiting German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Gunter Krings signed the MoU. They have also signed the Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.

On this occasion, Shri Rijiju said that the MoU on Security Cooperation has created strategic initiative between India and Germany in the area of Security Cooperation. The MoU proposes to intensify the cooperation in countering terrorism in all its form, including recruitment, financing, terrorist propaganda, training and terrorist movements; countering organized crime, preventing and combating unlawful production/extraction of any narcotic and psychotropic substances.

The MoU also covers areas of border protection, aviation security, cyber crime, illegal migration and counterfeit currency. Under the umbrella of this MoU, there will be exchange of information, technological expertise and cooperation on basic and advanced training of security. The Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management seeks to deepen and develop cooperation in the field of Disaster Management through exchange of information, processing technologies and other Scientific/Technological expertise in the field of Disaster Management, as well as providing training and capacity building of First Responders in Civil Defence, urban search and rescue, Fire services and medical field. Shri Rijiju also expressed hope that Germany will overcome its reluctance on inking the bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) which will pave the way for the deportation of criminals.

Dr. Gunter Krings praised the remarkable economic growth of India and termed the two agreements as remarkable milestones in the relations of the two large and responsible Democracies of the World. He hoped that the German Ministry of Justice will find ways to rework the legal instruments for addressing the issues of bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). The two sides also discussed the activities of Sikh radical groups in Germany. Senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ms. Melanie Bavndamm of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior were among the dignitaries who attended the signing ceremony in the MHA.

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[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Finance, Shri Jayant Sinha and the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany, Dr. Gerd Mueller signing the document between Govt. of India and Federal Republic of Germany, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Minister of State for Finance, Shri Jayant Sinha and the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany, Dr. Gerd Mueller exchanging the signed document between Govt. of India and Federal Republic of Germany, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015. The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Shri Shaktikanta Das is also seen.

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal with the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation Development of Germany, Dr. Gerd Mueller at the bilateral meeting, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal with the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation Development of Germany, Dr. Gerd Mueller at the bilateral meeting, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal and the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation Development of Germany, Dr. Gerd Mueller exchanging the signed document, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel at the 3rd Indo German Intergovernmental Consultations, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan with the German Federal Minister for Education and Research, Ms. Johanna Wanka at the bilateral meeting, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and the German Federal Minister for Education and Research, Ms. Johanna Wanka signing an agreement for furthering cooperation between Govt. of India and Federal Republic of Germany in the field of Science & Technology, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and the German Federal Minister for Education and Research, Ms. Johanna Wanka at the signing ceremony between Govt. of India and Federal Republic of Germany, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

Ministry of Human Resource Development
05-October, 2015 21:24 IST
Union HRD Minister and German Minister of Education Exchange views on a Range of Issues

Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister for Human Resource Development and Dr. (Mrs.) Johanna Wanka, German Minister of Education and Research held bilateral discussions today in New Delhi. The Ministers exchanged views on a range of issues related to enhancement and deepening of traditional ties. These covered collaboration in science and technology, skills development, the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) as well as cooperation in the field of promotion of languages of each country in the other. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the bilateral relations.

After the talks, India and Germany signed two Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) and an MoU for enhancing cooperation in education. The two JDIs and the MoU were signed in the presence of Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister for Human Resource Development and Dr. (Mrs.) Johanna Wanka, German Minister of Education and Research.

The first JDI seeks to implement a new programme titled "lndo-German Partnerships (IGP) in Higher Education" over four years from 2016-2020 to encourage and support cooperation between higher education institutions in each country. The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany, the respective implementing agencies for the JDI also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for operationalization of the cooperation between the two countries in the field of the Higher Education.

The MoU will develop a joint partnership programme aimed at enhancing long-term partnerships between German and Indian institutions of higher education. New and innovative areas of cooperation would be opened, enabling participating institutions to develop teaching and research profiles and contribute to their internationalization strategies. Each side will contribute 3.5 million Euros for the initial programme period of four years. The IGP will fund a number of projects, which would be identified based on a competitive selection process. By concentrating on top-level strategic partnerships, the programme aims to improve the overall quality of teaching and research and to strengthen inter-disciplinarity within the participating institutions.

The second JDI is regarding the promotion of German as a foreign language in India and promotion of modern Indian languages in Germany. As part of the JDI on promotion of each other’s languages, students in Kendriya Vidaylaya (KVs) will be able to opt for the German language as an additional foreign language, in conformity with the National Education Policy of India. The JDI will be operationalised, in India through collaboration between the Max Mueller Bhavan and the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and in Germany through nodal agencies to be identified shortly.

The Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, Dr. R.S. Katoch witnessing the signing of a framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), Govt. of India and Fraunhofer, Germany, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
05-October, 2015 11:31 IST
DHI Fraunhofer Framework MoU

A framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed today between the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), Govt. of India and Fraunhofer, Germany with later as “Technology Resource Partner”. The MoU was signed in the presence of Secretary, Department of Heavy Ministry Dr. R. Katoch here in New Delhi. Senior Officers from Ministry of Heavy Industry and representatives from Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) were also present during the signing of MoU.

The objective is to support and augment the “Make in India” Programme through increasing the innovation and technology prowess of Indian industry.

The activities include creating a road-map for technological development for Indian industry, identifying and plugging technology gaps. Implementation identified projects in manufacturing, working with various stakeholders in Government, Industry & academia for increasing cooperation in applied research.

The MoU signed will now be exchanged by EAM with her German counterpart before the two Heads of States later in the day in a meeting scheduled at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.

It may be recalled that Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft is the leading organization for applied research in Europe. Its research activities are conducted by 66 institutes and research units at locations throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft employs a staff of nearly 24,000, who work with an annual research budget totalling more than 2 billion Euro’s. Of this sum, around 1.7 billion Euro’s is generated through contract research. More than 70 percent of the Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft’s contract research revenue is derived from contracts with industry and from publicly financed research projects.

The 12th Five Year Plan calls for augmenting Indian Industrial Technologies development at institutes through collaborations with Fraunhofer and like institutions.

The MoU is also a strong indication of German support to Indian economy. This will pay way for induction of latest technologies in capital goods sector. SME in industrial clusters will be the main beneficiaries.

DHI will actively conduct technology need surveys with units and clusters and run a number of awareness, technology development and assimilation programmes with the help of Fraunhofer.

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[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at the Joint Press Briefing, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at the Joint Press Briefing, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi giving his statement to the media with the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, at the Joint Press Briefing, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

Prime Minister's Office
05-October, 2015 14:54 IST
Text of PM’s statement to the Media at the Joint Press Briefing with German Chancellor Dr.Angela Merkel


Chancellor Merkel,

Members of German delegation,

My colleagues,

Members of the media,

It is a great pleasure to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel and her eminent delegation to India.

On behalf of the people of India, I warmly congratulate Germany on the 25th anniversary of German reunification. At this important milestone, you can look back with pride on what you have accomplished at home and abroad. Chancellor Merkel, your leadership is a source of confidence and reassurance at a difficult moment for Europe and the world.

You have chosen to visit India despite many preoccupations in your region. The strength of your delegation reflects the importance you attach to relations with India and the seriousness with which you approach the Inter Governmental Consultations. Your commitment holds the key to progress in our relations. So, thank you very much!

The mechanism of Inter-Governmental Consultation is certainly unique. And, it has brought about all round growth in our relations. In addition, in the course of the past year, our two sides have deepened our engagement. We see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of India’s economic transformation. German strengths and India’s priorities are aligned. And, so is our mutual goodwill.

Our focus tends to be on economic ties. But, I believe that in a world of seamless challenges and opportunities, India and Germany can also be strong partners in advancing a more human, peaceful, just and sustainable future for the world. We have a rich history of engagement. We share values, comfort in our relations and a sense of responsibility to the world.

Today, we have met for around three hours. We will continue our dialogue here and in Bengaluru tomorrow. I was very pleased with our discussions and the broad range of outcomes.

German response to our development agenda is very encouraging. We can look forward with confidence to increased investment, trade and technology partnerships in manufacturing, infrastructure and skill development. German engineering and Indian IT skills can create the next generation industry that will be more efficient, economical and environment friendly.

1600 German companies in India, and growing in number, will be strong partners in creating a global work force in India.

German cooperation and assistance in areas like smart cities, Clean Ganga and waste management have taken a concrete shape. So, has our cooperation in education, from engineering to humanities.

I admire German leadership in clean energy and commitment to combating climate change. This is an area where we have convergence of views, and rapidly growing cooperation. We have agreed on India-Germany Climate and Renewable Alliance with a long term vision and a comprehensive agenda of combating climate change. I place great value on Germany’s assistance of over one billion Euros for India’s Green Energy Corridor and a new assistance package of over a billion Euros for solar projects in India. We also intend to deepen research cooperation in clean and renewable energy, and energy efficiency. To contain temperature rise we must also change our temperament.

We look forward to a concrete outcome at COP21 in Paris that strengthens the commitment and the ability of the world, especially of poor and vulnerable countries, to transition to a more sustainable growth path.

Our partnership will also grow in areas like defence manufacturing, trade in advanced technology, intelligence, and countering terrorismand radicalism. These are important security dimensions of our expanding relationship.

I welcome Germany’s strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes. As we discussed in the G4 Summit in New York, Chancellor and I are committed to pursue reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council.

We have a common perspective on this region; the turbulence in West Asia; Europe’s challenges; and, shaping a peaceful and stable Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. I especially thanked her for Germany’s invaluable support for peace, security and development in Afghanistan.

Finally, a very special word of gratitude to Chancellor Merkel and the people of Germany for the return of the 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar from Jammu and Kashmir. She is a symbol of the victory of good over evil.

This also suggests that in this age of transitions and turmoil, India-Germany partnership will be a force of good for the world.

It is a saying common to both our cultures that friendship is a plant that needs to be watered. I am confident that after this extraordinary session, the tree of our friendship will blossom.

Thank you.

***
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi witnessing the exchange of agreements, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi witnessing the exchange of agreements, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel in the family photograph with German delegation and the Indian dignitaries, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel watching the musical performance, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel meeting the President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Germany Business delegation led by the Parliamentary State Secretary, Mr. Uwe Beckmeyer meeting the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

The Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri S. Selvakumar and Mr. Roland Siller, KFW (Germany) signed the loan agreement for KFW (Germany) assisted Himachal Pradesh Green Energy Corridors Project and Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corridors Project, in New Delhi on October 05, 2015.

Ministry of Science & Technology
5-October, 2015 20:07 IST
India and Germany Sign Agreements for Furthering Cooperation in the Field of Science & Technology

India and Germany have signed agreements for furthering cooperation in the field of Science & Technology. The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan and the German Federal Minister for Education and Research Ms. Johanna Wanka signed the main agreement and witnessed signing of another agreement by the officials for the purpose after mutual discussions in New Delhi today.

At the meeting held before the 3rd Indo-German Consultative meeting, both the Ministers expressed their satisfaction on the level of Indo-German Science & Technology cooperation which is now recognised as one of the strategic pillars in the overall bilateral relationship.


It was reiterated by both sides that they would continue to support and strengthen the basic research component of collaboration which will underpin future technology developments.


India is investing approximately 14 million euro for the construction of an additional beam line and access to the synchrotron facility at PETRA-III in DESY at Hamburg. Similarly, India is equity share holder with investment of 36 million euro in the construction of the international “Facility for Antiproton-Ion Research” (FAIR) at Darmstadt. Both these state of art facilities will further enable our scientists to conduct high impact and frontier research in material science, nuclear and high energy physics. On the same model, Dr. Harsh Vardhan offered Germany to participate in some of the future mega science projects, which India will be embarking upon.



A major highlight of the meeting was the agreement on both sides to extend the bi-national Indo-German Science & Technology Center (IGSTC) beyond 2017 with increase in funding from 2 million euro to 4 million euro every year. This was a reflection of the common endeavour on both sides to support industrially relevant R&D projects that have potential to generate novel technologies and new intellectual property in sectors such as advance manufacturing, embedded systems & ICT for automobiles, renewable energy, food security, clean water and health care technologies- all of which are in tune with present national missions of the government of India. India is the only country with whom Germany has such a bilateral R&D Centre dedicated to promote applied and industrial R&D. The Centre is already supporting 15 joint projects and pro-types of some new technologies have been co-developed in solar-thermal energy, stress tolerant chic-pea variety, and high altitude cold resistance plants etc.


Dr. Harsh Vardhan expressed confidence that the extended tenure of Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) until 2022 along with doubling its financial resources will enable us to co-develop affordable technologies that can contribute to the knowledge economy of both our countries.


Both the Ministers reiterated the need for concerted effort to promote exchanges of young scientists and student researchers. To this end DST through a Letter of Intent agreed to continue the support for participation of 25 Indian science and medical students to the annual Nobel Laureate meet in Lindau.


Both the Ministers echoed that the future cooperation should focus on programs to promote innovation and techno-entrepreneurship by linking the SME and Start-up enterprises of both the countries in order to make meaningful contribution to the knowledge economy and use the tools of science and technology to address socially relevant challenges. New areas such as anti-microbial resistance and regenerative medicine, earth science system including monsoon studies and marine sciences required to understand the climate change process was emphasised by the Indian side that needs to be addressed together.


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