Berlin/New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin today and reiterated the invitation extended by PM Modi to him to visit India for the 7th bilateral Inter-Governmental Consultations.
He also met Jens Ploetner, Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the Chancellor, and Boris Pistorius, Defence Minister.
In posts on X, he said:
“Honoured to meet Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin today.
“Conveyed the personal greetings of PM Modi. Look forward to his visit to India for the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations.”
“An in-depth exchange with Jens Plötner, Security & Foreign Policy Advisor to @Bundeskanzler
“Our conversation focussed on preparations for IGC and important strategic developments.”
An official statement said that EAM Jaishankar paid an official visit to Germany from Sep 10-11. This is his third bilateral visit to Berlin since taking over as EAM and the second visit to Germany this year following his last visit to Munich in February 2024 to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC).
“During the visit, EAM met his counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, particularly, with a view to laying the groundwork for the upcoming 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) in New Delhi in October 2024, chaired by Prime Minister of India and Chancellor of Germany. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the 18th Asia Pacific Conference (APK) of German Businesses to be held in New Delhi next month would further deepen the business-to-business partnership between India and Germany. They also discussed regional and global matters of mutual interest, including Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
“EAM met Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany, and reiterated the invitation extended by PM Modi to him to visit India for the 7th IGC. Chancellor Scholz expressed satisfaction at the progress of our increasingly multi-faceted Strategic Partnership, the statement said.
“EAM had a discussion with Jens Ploetner, Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the Federal Chancellor, and Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, during which both sides re-affirmed their commitment to further deepen the strategic, defence and security cooperation between India and Germany.
“EAM also met with Friedrich Merz, Chairman of CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group; Michael Roth, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag; and select Parliamentarians representing various political parties in Germany. They discussed ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including parliamentary cooperation, as well as key regional and global developments.
“During the visit, EAM was invited as Guest of Honour to address the German Ambassadors and important business leaders during the Annual Conference of German Ambassadors, and also participated in a discussion with foreign affairs and security policy experts at the ‘Strategic Convergences in a Multipolar World’ event organized by MSC.
“India and Germany have a Strategic Partnership since 2000 and will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership next year. Our cooperation today transcends a wide range of sectors spanning trade, investment, defence, science, technology, innovation, sustainability, renewable energy, emerging technologies, development cooperation, culture, education, mobility and people to people ties.
“EAM’s visit to Germany is in continuation of the frequent high-level interactions and sustained engagements between India and Germany that have further strengthened and diversified this partnership.”
UNI RN