NEW DELHI (AFP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in India on Monday for a visit expected to focus on security and trade issues, as Europe's largest economy aims to strengthen ties with the Asian giant.
It is Merkel's first visit as chancellor to India, which is emerging as an important market for Germany: bilateral trade increased about 40 percent last year to 10 billion euros (14.4 billion dollars), according to Indian data.
Political cooperation between the two countries has also grown significantly, foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said before Merkel's arrival.
"We are keeping each other briefed, where possible we are aligning positions," he said, citing examples as their stances on UN reform and terrorism.
Berlin is also anxious for India and Pakistan to overcome tensions and complete an on-off peace process designed to end six decades of hostility between the neighbours.
The chancellor's advisers have said Merkel plans to raise global warming with Indian leaders, who have signalled the country is not ready to compromise its economic growth by accepting binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
Merkel will hold one-on-one talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, with the two leaders expected to announce agreements on scientific and defence cooperation, and on intellectual property rights.
Merkel will also meet Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Sonia Gandhi, head of India's powerful Congress ruling party.
The German leader's trip follows a visit in August to China, another Asian giant with growing ties to Germany.
In a speech to party members on Friday, Merkel said Germany had long neglected to focus on India and should expand its ties with the subcontinent.
Merkel is accompanied by a 30-member business delegation and will spend the second leg of her trip in India's financial capital of Mumbai for a round table meeting of the German-Indian chamber of commerce on Wednesday.
In keeping with her reputation for tackling human rights issues, Merkel is due to discuss poverty, inequality and India's notorious caste system with journalists and non-governmental organisations.
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
