German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived today in India for two-day visit
Diplomat Times (New Delhi)- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz today arrived in New Delhi for a visit to India from February 25-26.
Scholz is accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation, and his visit to India is the first standalone one by any German Chancellor since the commencement of the Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) mechanism between the two nations in 2011, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr Olaf Scholz called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 25, 2023).
Welcoming Chancellor Scholz on his first visit to India as German Chancellor, the President said that India and Germany have a long standing relationship, which is underpinned by our common values and shared goals. Our bilateral relationship encompasses a wide range of areas, reflecting the mutual trust that has been nurtured over decades.
The President noted that Germany is India’s largest trade partner in Europe and also among the top investors in India. She said that Germany is also India’s second largest development cooperation partner and has played an important role in India’s developmental journey. In recent years, Germany has emerged as a favoured destination for Indian students and researchers wishing to pursue higher education, especially in Science and Technology. She said that India and Germany also have strong cultural connect, with a long tradition of German Indologists working on India.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President said that as vibrant and pluralist democracies, India and Germany can play an important role in addressing new and emerging global challenges. https://t.co/DzolfFFO7Y pic.twitter.com/fgG5cIJjKo
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 25, 2023
The President said that India and Germany have a shared aims in upholding democratic values, the rules-based international order, multilateralism, as well as the reform of multilateral institutions. As two vibrant, pluralistic democracies, India and Germany can play an important role in addressing new and emerging global challenges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Scholz for a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He met PM Modi and other ministers during the event.
Glimpses from the ceremonial welcome in the honour of Chancellor @OlafScholz. 🇮🇳 🇩🇪 @Bundeskanzler pic.twitter.com/FGDEGavy0H
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2023
It is Scholz’s first visit to India after he became the German chancellor in December 2021. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region are also expected to figure prominently in the deliberations, news agency PTI reported.
“We already have good relations between Germany and India and I hope that we will strengthen this relationship. I hope we will discuss intensely all the topics relevant to the development of our countries and also peace in the world, ” Scholz was quoted by ANI as saying.
#WATCH | We already have good relations b/w Germany and India and I hope that we will strengthen this relationship. I hope we will discuss intensely about all the topics relevant to the development of our countries and also the peace in the world: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pic.twitter.com/IOtWGvuYYJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023
