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Modi calls Berlin a 'reliable partner' after meeting Merkel

WION
Berlin, GermanyUpdated: May 30, 2017, 11:16 AM IST
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File photo of Indian PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photograph:(Reuters)

Story highlights

Both Modi and Merkel discussed a range of issues and held the fourth inter-governmental talks to lay the roadmap for enhanced bilateral partnership||Merkel said that Germany would like to develop ties with India but not at the cost of its transatlantic relationship

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held wide-ranging talks with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in a move to further strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries.

Both the leaders held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties, PTI said.

"We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India- Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties. We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world," he said.

Merkel and Modi also discussed a number of issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism.

Modi said that Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and a capable partner.

"Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner," Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel, PTI reported.

The German Chancellor said that Berlin wants to develop ties with New Delhi but not at the cost of its trans-Atlantic relationship, Reuters reported.

"That's of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future."

On Monday, Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally but said she was a "convinced trans-Atlanticist", fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier.

(WION with inputs from PTI and Reuters)