German industrial delegation disappointed with investment climate in India under Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are leading their respective teams at the third Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) in Hyderabad House, here.

The agenda will cover issues such as security, economy, development, cooperation, clean energy, climate change, infrastructure, urban mobility, innovation, higher education, skills development, culture and food security. >More...

Live updates:

6.28 pm: I was aware of the fact that the Defence Minister of Germany was not coming to India, says Foreign Secretary Jaishankar in answer to a question.

6.25 pm: Answering a query on the pharma industry, the Finance Secretary said restriction on more than 700 drug and pharma products need to be revised.

6.23 pm: The Foreign Secretary winds up his briefing.

6.22 pm: Make in India with Defence component taken up during discussions.

6.20 pm: Business agreements will take place tomorrow in Bengaluru. Agreement on climate finance to take forward technology cooperation and finance.

6:15 pm: Security, fake curreny, counter terror, propaganda of terrror part of security agreement between India and Germany: Jaishankar

6.13 pm: With regards to FTA, India will go forward with discussion. The German Chancellor was asked to review Pharma issues / cases that bottlenecked India-EU FTA talks.

6.12 pm: India Invest in DIPP will aquire a German Fast Track window: Jaishankar

6.11 pm: Some of the political issues covered include Afghanistan, Syria, South Asia, Ukraine negotiation, Indian Ocean, Counter Terror, Cyber threats. The G4 summit and UN reforms also came up in the talks.

6.10 pm: Germany is a power on the rise and is influential. Germany conducted a briefing before the Chancellor left Berlin, the Foreign Secretary said. The Berlin briefing by the German National Security Advisor, before Ms. Merkel arrived, describes Modi govt as one with an 'extra gear.'

6.09 pm: Digital India, Clean Ganga project have role for Germany, says Foreign Secretary Jaishankar.

6.05 pm: Bilateral trade is $ 20 billion. 1,600 German companies are in India. Bilateral ties are substantive. Germany is internationally important and is one of the big profile owners in the international level.

6.00 pm: India conducts Inter Government Consultation only with Germany. Therefore the dialogue is unique, said Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar at a media briefing in Hyderabad House.

4:45 pm: Germany has agreed on a package of over a billion Euros for solar projects in India. “We have agreed on India — German Climate and Renewable Alliance with a long term vision and a comprehensive agenda of cooperation.I place great value on Germany’s assistance of over one billion Euros for India’s Green Energy Corridor and a new assistance package of over a billion Euros for solar projects in India,” Prime Minister Modi said. (Inputs from PTI)

Cultural performances underway at Hyderabad House. Photo: PIB India

4.30 pm:

The melody of two nations. Chancellor & PM attend Ekta- a performance showcasing Indian & German musical traditions >pic.twitter.com/RrBFu32SLd — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) >October 5, 2015

4.00 pm: Can't sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) as "death penalty" still exists here, Germany tells India

3:20 pm: German industrial delegation disappointed with investment climate in India under Modi. "We expected India under Modi to be different. That has not happened so far," they said.

2. 53 pm: Germany gives $1bn Eur for solar energy,India fast-tracking business. No mention on FTA,submarine deal. India and Germany ink 18 MoUs for cooperation in various fields including higher education, civil aviation, railways and food safety.

2. 51 pm: Here is a list of MoUs signed by India and Germany.

Promotion of German as a foreign language in India and the promotion of modern Indian languages in Germany. Summary record of the negotiations on development cooperation. Indo-German solar energy partnership. Skill development, and vocational education and training. Security cooperation. Aviation security. Disaster management Cooperation in agricultural studies Supporting participation of young Indian scientists in natural sciences for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. Extension of the tenure of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC). Indo-German Partnerships in higher education (IGP). Plant protection products Development of cooperation in the field of railways. Cooperation in the field of manufacturing. Setting up a fast-track system for German companies in India. Cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate executives and junior executives from India. Cooperation in food safety between the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BFR) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Cooperation in food safety between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

2:48 pm: Angela Merkel concludes her speech.

2:47 pm Over 500 German companies are in India, More will come: Merkel

2.46 pm: Want to work towards peace in Afghanistan.

PM thanks Chancellor Merkel for return of the 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar. >pic.twitter.com/q8jT3vFoDa — PMO India (@PMOIndia) >October 5, 2015

The statue is from Jammu and Kashmir & is a symbol of victory of good over evil.

2:45 pm: Defence co-operation based on a broad foundation. We are ready to support Modi's Make in India Campaign.

2.44 pm: Co-operation of solar energy is important for rural areas, says Merkel.

2:43 pm: Environment protection needs to embraced by the people: Merkel

2:42 pm: Economic relations with India are of great importance: Merkel

2:41 pm: Glad that India will fast track agreements, says Angela Merkel

2:40 pm: After this extraordinary session, our friendship will blossom, PM Modi ends speech.

2:39 pm: I welcome Germany’s strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes:

2.38 pm: he mechanism of Inter-Governmental Consultation is certainly unique. And, it has brought about all round growth in our relations, says Modi

2.37pm : We look forward to a solid commitment in Paris in COP 21.

2:36 pm: New package of one billion euros for solar energy in India.

2:35 pm: Germany IT and Indian IT skills can create great resources. German co-operation in areas like Clean Ganga and pest management have taken concrete shape: PM Modi

2:33 pm: Germany and India's priorities are alike: PM Modi

2.32 pm: Modi welcomes Angerla Merkel, Germany is a natural partner, says PM.

2.32 pm: Business agreement on fast tracking signed.

2:30 pm: India, Germany sign key deals in aviation and security.

1.55 pm:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will return this statue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the joint press conference around 3.30 p.m. at Hydrabad House. Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

1.15 pm: Vikas Swarup, MEA, tweeted this image as Mr. Modi and Dr. Merkel continue talks over a working lunch.

12:52 pm: The bidding for the subs, that is estimated at around Rs. 50,000 crore, is expected to get more competitive as other countries have begun to show interest in the mega-contract. Reportedly, the Germans are hopeful that having lost to the French in the Rafale aircraft deal, they will get lucky while meeting the demands of the Indian Navy.

12:36 pm: Defence teams on both sides are expected to discuss the supply of six German conventional submarines to India. >More...

12:30 pm: The 3rd India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations begin.

11:30 am: Ahead of the German Chancellor's visit, Der Spigel put Dr. Merkel on its cover in a Mother Teresa saree, calling her "Mutter Angela" (Mother Angela). Confirming that Dr. Merkel's name was among the strongest of 273 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) said in a release that she was on the top of their list “for her response to the refugee crisis”. >More...

11:13 am: Dr. Merkel meets PM Modi at Hyderabad House.

10:09 am: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj welcomes Dr. Merkel ahead of delegation-level talks.

9:41 am: Dr. Merkel’s first engagement: the traditional wreath laying at India’s apostle of peace Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.

Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Incidentally, Dr. Merkel is also being considered the frontrunner in the race for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, due to be announced on October 9. >More...

9:22 am: Dr. Merkel accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

9:16 am: "Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit is the perfect moment to take this alliance ahead, shared view of the world will unlock many doors. It can help breathe new life into the negotiations on an India- European Union free trade agreement." >More...

8:30 am: Two senior German Ministers, Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen and Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel, are not accompanying Dr. Merkel on her three-day trip to Delhi and Bengaluru, The Hindu has learnt. With the exclusion of these two top ministers, the Cabinet delegation accompanying Ms. Merkel has been reduced to four members. >More...