06 October, 2014

India and Germany ink 18 MoUs: PM Modi thanks Merkel for returning the 10th century Durga statue

 
New Delhi, While addressing a Joint Press Briefing with German Chancellor Dr.Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Merkel and her eminent delegation to India and congratulated Germany on the 25th anniversary of German reunification. Merkel arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening on a two- day visit to India and and was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.
PM Modi in his address said that at this important milestone, Germany can look back with pride on what the nation has accomplished at home and abroad. On this, PM Modi lauded about Chancellor Merkel’s leadership and said that her leadership is a source of confidence and reassurance at a difficult moment for Europe and the world. He mentioned that there are 1600 German companies in India, and growing in number, which will be strong partners in creating a global work force in India.
From renewable energy to skill development, India and Germany also signed 18 MoUs. Germany will also provide assistance of over one billion Euros for India's green energy corridor and solar projects. Also, the MoUs signed are for cooperation in various fields including higher education, civil aviation, railways and food safety.
PM Modi thanked Chancellor Merkel for return of the 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar from Jammu and Kashmir and said that this suggests that in this age of transitions and turmoil, India-Germany partnership will be a force of good for the world.
Lauding about relationship shared by India and Germany, PM Modi said that the German cooperation and assistance in areas like smart cities, Clean Ganga and waste management have taken a concrete shape and has boosted cooperation in education, from engineering to humanities between both the nations.
PM Modi mentioned that the strength of Merkel’s delegation reflects the importance that the nation attaches to relations with India and the seriousness with which you approach the Inter Governmental Consultations.
“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”, PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that the focus tends to be on economic ties but in the 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.

“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”, PM Modi added.
PM Modi admired German leadership in clean energy and commitment to combating climate change and said that it was 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.” PM Modi said.
PM Modi welcomed Germany’s strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes and 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”, PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister looked 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. PM Modi also is hopeful about growing partnership in areas like defence manufacturing, trade in advanced technology, intelligence, and countering terrorism and radicalism.

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