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Singh in Germany to boost trade ties
April 11, 2013, 1:03 am

Merkel and Singh have met several times over the past few years [Getty Images]

Merkel and Singh have met several times over the past few years [Getty Images]

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives in Germany today with a long list of goals, among them, reversing the dip in bilateral trade caused by the global recession.

During their talks, Singh will likely discuss with his counterpart Chancellor Angela Merkel ways to boost business ties and encourage German investments in India.

On the eve of his departure to Berlin, Singh said that Germany is also a key partner for India in areas like infrastructure, manufacturing, science and technology, higher education, vocational training and clean and renewable energy.

“We expect to sign a number of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding in these areas,” he said in a statement carried by media in India.

Singh is also likely to ask for Germany’s help in securing a viable India-EU trade and investment agreement, scheduled for discussion next week.

Indian officials accompanying Singh will also be engaged in a number of inter-governmental consultations with their German counterparts.

Ahead of the Singh-Merkel meeting, officials from the two countries met to discuss the India-EU trade agreement.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle praised his country’s relationship with India, which he called “a power centre on the rise” and an “economic success story that has shifted the weight in the world.”

Westerwelle said Germany supports an India-European Union trade and investment pact, which would remove most tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Source: Agencies