India - Germany | 02 Nov 2019

Why in News

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited India from 31^st October - 1^st November 2019 for the fifth round of Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

• Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) are held at the level of Head of Governments which allows for a comprehensive review of cooperation and identification of fresh areas of engagement.
• India is amongst a select group of countries with which Germany has such a dialogue mechanism.
• It is a unique mechanism which has helped deepen the bilateral relations between India and Germany in several fields such as new and advanced technology, smart cities, inland waterways, environmental protection etc.

Key Highlights

• Pacts signed in fields such as space, civil aviation, maritime technology, medicine, education, agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Cooperation in Defence
  
  • India has invited Germany to take advantage of opportunities in defence sector in the upcoming defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • The countries agreed to work on bilateral and multilateral platforms to counter terrorism and extremism.
• Stand on International Issues
  
  • To continue cooperation to expedite reforms in the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
  • Stressed on restoring full functioning of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement system and reforming the organisation without undermining its fundamental principles such as Special & Differential Treatment etc.
• Climate Change
  
  • Agreed to provide financial support to climate initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Germany expressed its readiness to provide 1.1 billion dollar to India for green urban mobility.
• Economic Sector
  
  • To deepen efforts to restart negotiations between the European Union (EU) and India on the Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
• Science and Technology
  
  • To conduct joint research on the development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  • To identify best possible approaches on cyber security.

India - Germany Ties

• India and Germany have a 'Strategic Partnership' since 2001.
• Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe.
• India and Germany are members of G-4 along with Brazil and Japan. The G4 nations support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
• Both countries are also members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Source: TH