Modi-Merkel joint statement in Berlin

Modi-Merkel joint statement in Berlin

Question: PM Narendra Modi has recently embarked on a three nation tour for improving bilateral relations. Discuss the Modi-Merkel Joint Statement issued following

talks between the 2 leaders.

Modi-Merkel Joint Statement: Key Highlights

• PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Hannover and Berlin to discuss strategic partnership between India and Germany.

• The Joint Statement also stressed on greater synergies between German engineering, know-how in sustainable development as well as skills and innovations and

Indian initiatives such as Clean India and Digital India

• Stress was placed on dialogue on foreign policy and security issues

• Joint statement also proposed visits of Germany’s Defence Minister to India and MEA minister of India to Germany prior to the Inter-Governmental Consultations

• The two nations will work in areas like climate change and energy as well as food security

• The third Inter-Governmental Consultations between India and Germany will be held in October 2015

• Manufacturing: India will gain through the Hannover Messe (world’s largest industrial fair in Germany) to foster stronger ties between commerce and industry

and support “Make in India.” Emphasis will be on

- More investments,

- Better investment climate and

- Deeper technology partnerships

• Skill development: The two countries have will for improving employability of workers and apprentices

• Development: Urban development working group supporting urban planning and infrastructure in India will work for the following:

- Joint cooperation for development of Indian smart cities

- Peer-to-peer network of Municipalities for direct partnership

- Reasonably priced housing

- Forming working groups in water management, waste management

• German support for modernisation of the rail infrastructure; this includes semi high-speed, high-speed railways and training and skill development of rail

personnel.

• Environment: After the Ganga Scoping Mission in October 2014, the two nations will work for:

- Rejuvenation strategies for the Ganga River,

- Capacity support for urban sanitation,

- Lowering industrial pollution

- Innovative financial models.

• Germany will support India’s objective of 175 GW of renewable energy by the year 2022. Technical and financial support for solar rooftop and green energy

corridor projects will be given by Germany.

• Knowledge Networks: Building an International Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences is also a goal

• Collaboration through the Indo German Strategic Partnerships in Higher Education Program will happen.

• Exchange programme will take place between scientists within the framework of the GIAN

• Spread of German and Indian languages among the youths of the two nations is another aim

• Cooperation in science and technology will be a focus. Collaborations for and between the following institutions was agreed upon:

- Bi-national Indo German Science and Technology Centre in India

- Ministry of Earth Sciences in India and Helmholtz Association, Germany for institutional collaboration in earth sciences

- Leibniz Association of Germany and the National Council of Science Museums in India

• Commerce: Two sides agreed to speeding up the India EU FTA agreement.

Facts and Stats

• Germany is the fifth largest economy in the world by PPP. It is also Europe’s largest and strongest economy.

• German economy grew by 3.1% in 2011-2012

• Currently, Greece and the euro zone financial crisis are twin problems for its economy

• Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the EU; it is the 6th largest trading partner internationally

• It is also India’s second largest partner in technology development

• Currently, India is at rank 28 amidst trading partners for Germany worldwide

• It accounts for 0.7% of German trade and it is 5th among Asian exporters to this European nation