Germany, India discuss economic and security cooperation

New Delhi - German President Horst Koehler held talks with Indian leaders in New Delhi Tuesday to deepen the partnership between the two countries, including economic and security cooperation. Accompanied by a high-level business delegation, Koehler, 66, arrived in the Indian capital Monday to begin a week-long tour.

Koehler was welcomed with a ceremonial reception on the forecourt of the presidential palace where he was received by his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The German president later laid a wreath at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, pacifist leader of India's independence movement.

After a brief meeting with India's Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Koehler held key talks with Singh at the Hyderabad House.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said the agenda included global challenges such as international terrorism, the financial crisis, climate change and poverty reduction.

Four pacts between India and Germany are under discussion including one on security and counter-terrorism measures and another on economic and technological cooperation.

"The key objective of President Köhler's visit is to open up new avenues for Germany and India to work together in developing a 21st-century world policy based on mutual cooperation," the German embassy in Delhi said.

"His first official visit to India underlines the increasing importance of the strategic partnership between Germany and India," it added.

The legislative power of the German president is limited - national government is headed by the chancellor - but the role carries symbolic weight, especially in diplomatic relations.

Koehler's schedule includes a meeting with top business leaders later Tuesday and a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi on Wednesday.

On Thursday he is to travel to the western state of Maharashtra, to visit the plants of German carmaker Volkswagen and Indian energy company Thermax in the town of Pune, before traveling to Mumbai to meet with Indian industrialists.

On Sunday, Koehler and the German delegation are scheduled to fly on to South Korea, the current chair of the G-20.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/307065,germany-india-discuss-economic-and-security-cooperation.html.