German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in India on Thursday for the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC), hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This three-day official visit, from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, follows Scholz's previous trips to India in 2023, when he attended a bilateral state visit in February and the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September.
On Friday, Oct. 25, Modi and Scholz will co-chair the IGC, a platform that brings together ministers from both governments for discussions in key areas. Cabinet ministers from Germany will accompany Scholz to engage with their Indian counterparts in a range of sectoral dialogues. Outcomes of these discussions will be reported directly to the Prime Minister and Chancellor.
Bilateral talks between Modi and Scholz are expected to cover security and defense cooperation, economic engagement, and the mobility of talent. Additionally, both leaders will explore joint initiatives under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, as well as collaboration on emerging and strategic technologies. Regional and global developments will also be on the agenda.
The two leaders will address the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2024) in New Delhi on Friday. The biennial APK event attracts business leaders, executives, and political representatives from Germany and the Indo-Pacific, including 650 top CEOs and business leaders from India, Germany, and other nations. This year’s conference is anticipated to enhance trade and investment between India and Germany.
Chancellor Scholz’s itinerary also includes a stop in Goa, where the German naval frigate "Baden-Wuerttemberg" and combat support ship "Frankfurt am Main" will make a port call as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment.
India and Germany have shared a strategic partnership since 2000, with ties spanning diverse sectors. This year marks the 50th anniversary of their Science and Technology collaboration and the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
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