German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on a two-day state visit to India, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi on Friday morning.

Later, PM Modi and German Chancellor Scholz jointly inaugurated the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024. The two leaders will also co-chair the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) between Germany and India.

The IGC will focus on several key areas of collaboration, including enhanced security and defence partnerships, increased talent mobility, expanded economic cooperation, and a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. The discussions will also explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in emerging and strategic technologies.

After his engagements in New Delhi, Chancellor Scholz will travel to Goa to welcome two German naval vessels, the frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg and the combat support ship Frankfurt am Main, which are part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment.

This marks Scholz’s third visit to India since taking office in 2021. He previously visited in February 2023 for a bilateral meeting and again in September 2023 to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Germany remains one of India’s most significant partners in Europe. Bilateral relations were formalized through a Strategic Partnership established in 2000 and further strengthened by the IGC platform, which facilitates high-level discussions between the two nations’ leadership.

(With ANI input)