German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Meets PM Modi Ahead Of Asia-Pacific Conference

Ahead of the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2024), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened on Friday at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi.

The high-profile meeting sets the stage for discussions aimed at enhancing trade and investment relations between Germany and the Indo-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024 will be inaugurated by both leaders.

The event will attract around 650 business leaders and CEOs from Germany, India, and other nations, focusing on fostering economic cooperation and collaboration across sectors.

Following the inauguration, a joint plenary session will take place, bringing together government representatives for consultations chaired by the heads of government.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier this week, “Both leaders will hold bilateral talks to discuss enhanced security and Defence cooperation, greater opportunities for mobility of talent, deeper economic cooperation, Green and Sustainable Development Partnership and collaboration in the area of emerging and strategic technologies. Discussions will also focus on important regional and global developments.”

Chancellor Scholz’s Goa Visit

After the conference, Chancellor Scholz will travel to Goa, where the German naval frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg and the combat support ship Frankfurt am Main are likely to dock as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment.

The MEA highlighted that India and Germany have enjoyed a strategic partnership since 2000, which has evolved and diversified over the years.

“India and Germany have had a strategic partnership since 2000. Over the years, this partnership has deepened and diversified across various sectors. The two countries are celebrating 50 years of Science and Technology collaboration this year. As we enter the 25th year of strategic partnership, the visit of Chancellor Scholz will pave the way for further strengthening of our bilateral ties,” the MEA asserted.

During his 2023 visits, Chancellor Scholz expressed admiration for India’s advancements in technology, stating, “We want to and must take advantage of the potential that exists here, which, among other things, will help us to boost the resilience of our own economy.”

He also conveyed Germany’s keen interest in collaborating with India in various economic sectors, particularly in renewable energies such as wind power, solar energy, and biomass.

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