india

Updated: Oct 31, 2019 21:44 IST

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not stand when Indian and German national anthems will be played at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday morning during a ceremonial welcome due to her medical condition, two officials familiar with the developments have said.

One of the government officials cited above said there are certain provisions in the order relating to the National Anthem of India which will be invoked to allow the German chancellor to be seated.

“Chancellor Merkel’s difficulties in standing without support are known and lately, she has been seen seated at ceremonial events, both at home and abroad, which would have normally required her to stand,” said the officer.

“The exemption as per the order is being invoked based on a request from the German side to accommodate Chancellor’s wish to be accorded the ceremonial welcome,” the officer added.

Merkel has had several bouts of trembling while standing during several official events in the last four to five months.

In July, she sat through the German and Danish national anthems during a ceremony welcoming Denmark’s prime minister to Berlin.

Merkel will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday on a two-day visit with a delegation from 12 ministries and hold discussions on various bilateral topics with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The topics of discussions would include artificial intelligence, sustainable development, urban mobility, agriculture and football among others,” German ambassador to India Walter J Lindner said while speaking to reporters.

Merkel will also be interacting with Indian female personalities who made an impact in the society, Lindner said. She would also be visiting a German company in Gurgaon and a Metro station before leaving on Saturday, he said.