Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, walk through the garden of the government guest house Meseberg Palace during a meeting in Meseberg, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north on Berlin, Monday, May 29, 2017. (AP/PTI) Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, walk through the garden of the government guest house Meseberg Palace during a meeting in Meseberg, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north on Berlin, Monday, May 29, 2017. (AP/PTI)

Setting a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties between India and Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday opened the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. India and Germany signed 8 deals, agreeing to cooperate in multiple sectors and exchange knowledge.

The Prime Minister was also given a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials. He was also accorded a guard of honour and was welcomed as the the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem. Later, he called on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Castle Bellevue.

Below are the highlights of his visit to Germany:

8.15 pm: PM Modi concludes the first leg of his four-nation tour. From here, he will head to Spain, Russia and France. Before departing, he tweeted, “Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy.” Thanks for joining our live blog!

After fruitful bilateral engagements, PM @narendramodi concludes first leg of his visit, departs from Germany pic.twitter.com/tigNn1fB1x — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) May 30, 2017

7.25 pm: Prime Minister Modi calls on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Castle Bellevue in Berlin. MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweets pictures of their meeting

Reaffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue pic.twitter.com/2SPuLcisZc — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) May 30, 2017

7.20 pm: PM Modi and Merkel visit Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.

PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Merkel at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. pic.twitter.com/79ula9GfDK — PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 30, 2017

7.15 pm: PM Modi and Chancellor Merkel inaugurated the Indo-German Business Summit, where they addressed senior business leaders. India’s largest trade partner from the EU is Germany; the European country has invested at least $2 billion in FDI to India in the last two years. PM Modi, while addressing the summit, said that India’s has now introduced new economic reforms, including the ‘historic’ GST, which most states are onboard with. He urged investors to increase their investments in India.

“When I spoke in April 2015, our process of reforms had just started. Now, I can safely say that we have completed a sizable part of it,” he said.

PM Modi also added that through his Make in India scheme, he is committed to transforming the country as a major player in the global value chain. He added that India is on path to becoming a global manufacturing hub, as there is a vast pool of skilled professionals with knowledge and energy.

“Our direction, desire and dreams create tremendous business opportunity. Never before, India was so much ready for business,” he said.

7.06 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a busy day in Berlin. After meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel as part of the India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC), the two leaders signed eight deals cutting across various sectors. In a joint press conference, PM Modi and Merkel addressed concerns related to the growing menace of terrorism and climate change. They spoke about increasing bilateral and economic ties between the two nations, which has already seen a ‘quantum’ jump. PM Modi said development of ties between the two countries is “fast, the direction is positive and the destination is clear.”

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Mobashar Jawad Akbar sign documents next to PM Modi and German Chancellor Merkel. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Mobashar Jawad Akbar sign documents next to PM Modi and German Chancellor Merkel. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

3.27 pm: PM Modi on Climate Change: It is our duty to secure the future of the next generation. India has taken on an ambitious project to generate renewable energy.

3.15 pm: Need to address cyber security in real time: PM Modi.

Our civil aviation sector has also grown in leaps and bounds, urge Germany to work closely with us in improving it further: PM Modi.

3.10 pm: PM Modi: “We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India-Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties.”

“Germany’s extensive work in skill development, which has set the standards globally, can benefit the youth of India.”

“Our cooperation in areas like renewable energy is gaining momentum.”

“India is giving an impetus to next-generation infrastructure and this is an area in which we want to work extensively with Germany.”

“We have fast-tracked investments from Germany under the Make in India initiative,” he said.

“We are also working with Germany to improve out sporting prowess, especially in football,” PM Modi said.

3.00 pm: Angela Merkel: “It is impressive to see the way India has been speeding up on the use of Solar energy.”

“We have extended and deepened our understanding in many areas.”

“India knows climate change is a major challenge for all of us.”

“The threat terrorists poses in India and Europe. This is going to be placed on the G20 agenda.”

2.50 pm: India and Germany sign 8 agreements. Modi and Merkel to make a joint statement.

Exchange of MoUs between India and Germany, in Berlin, Germany pic.twitter.com/VBma6Nt4fr — ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

1.30 pm: PM Modi opened the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties.

1.15 pm: Prime Minister Modi inspecting guard of honour in Berlin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects guard of honour in Berlin, Germany pic.twitter.com/Y7uIv3Lsr3 — ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

12.50 pm: Prime Minister Modi is being accorded ceremonial reception in Berlin.

WATCH: PM Modi receives ceremonial reception in Berlin(Germany) https://t.co/miJHwh37ZP — ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

8.15 am: Reflecting on the Modi-Merkel meet, the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders reviewed Brexit and its potential impact on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union: ANI

1: 27 am: In the latest update, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has had a good interaction with Chancellor Angela Merkel. He took to Twitter to express his satisfaction after interacting with German Chancellor.

Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel. pic.twitter.com/5SQb5l205M — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 29, 2017

10: 50 pm: Prime Minister Modi is seen interacting with German Chancellor at Schloss Meseberg’s garden in Germany. The Prime Minister is expected to dine alone with the Chancellor there. Schloss Meseberg serves as the official retreat for Chancellor Merkel and venue for several high-level summits.

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel interact at Schloss Meseberg’s garden in Germany pic.twitter.com/yX7d9UDqBe — ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2017

10: 35 pm:

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Schloss Meseberg, Germany pic.twitter.com/4WfqZSUm0J — ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor at Schloss Meseberg, the official state guest house of the German Federal Government. Being accompanied with Angela Merkel, he signed on the Visitor’s Book.

Germany: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Schloss Meseberg, signs Visitor’s Book pic.twitter.com/hS9lYl6yE3 — ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2017

8.55 pm: In an interview to German newspaper ‘Handelsblatt’, PM Modi has described terrorism as the ‘gravest challenge’ facing humanity. He added that Europe has been hit hard by terrorism. He urged European nations to develop an effective global response to it, under the aegis of the United Nations. There have a slew of terror attacks in Europe recently, including the explosion in Manchester Arena last week.

“To our mind, terrorism is the gravest challenge facing humanity. Europe must play a lead role in developing an effective global response under the aegis of the United Nations to deal with this menace,” he is quoted as saying by PTI.

In regard with immigration norms, he said, “We do have concerns regarding protectionist and anti-immigrant sentiments in the world. We are hopeful that they will be addressed.

“We live in an interconnected world. Movement of goods, capital and people across borders is essential to our collective progress and to realise the benefits of globalisation,” PM Modi told the leading business news portal. Read more here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received on his arrival, in Berlin, Germany on Tuesday. (Source: PTI Photo/PIB) Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received on his arrival, in Berlin, Germany on Tuesday. (Source: PTI Photo/PIB)

8.45 pm: Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweets on PM Modi’s arrival in Germany, “Guten Tag Berlin! PM @narendramodi arrives in Germany for the Fourth #IndiaGermany IGC.”

“A week of vigorous diplomacy as PM @narendramodi departs for four nation visit to Germany, Spain, Russia & France.”

8.35 pm: Some of the key issues that the two leaders may discuss tomorrow includes the outcome of the G7 summit, during which leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan affirmed their commitment for the Paris accord — US President Donald Trump is expected to make a decision in this regard this week. In the wake of the Manchester Arena attack, claimed by the Islamic State, terrorism is another issue that may be focused on. The IS claimed an attack in central Berlin last December, that killed 12 and injured over 50 people. China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the South China Sea may also figure in their talks, reports news agency ANI.

8.25 pm: PM Modi and the German Chancellor are likely to discuss the India-Germany Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) which lapsed in March. It is one of the 23 BIT agreements India currently holds with the European Union countries. Another aspect of their discussions may be the deadlock Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU, reports PTI.

8.20 pm: Germany is the seventh largest country that invests in India, with a total foreign direct investment of $9.54 billion from April 2000 to December 2016. There are currently 1,800 companies operating in the country, reports news wire PTI. Trade between the countries was at nearly 17.42 billion euros last year, and 17.33 billion euros in 2015.

8.10 pm: PM Modi will be formally welcomed tomorrow with military honours at the Chancellery, after which he will meet Merkel at her country retreat, Schloss Meseberg. The bilateral talks between the two leaders are part of the fourth round of bi-annual consultations — the last IGC was held back in October 2015. The two leaders will also hold a luncheon with senior business leaders, after which they will inaugurate the Indo-German Business Forum.

8.00 pm: PM Modi, in a Facebook post on Sunday, had said that he will first visit Germany as part of his six-day trip, where he will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel under the framework of India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). He described Germany as a valuable partner, and said, “German competencies fit well with my vision for India’s transformation.” For his entire itinerary, click here.

7.45 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Berlin, Germany, the first country he will visit as part of his four-nation tour. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said,”Reached Germany. I am sure this visit will lead to beneficial outcomes & deepen India-Germany friendship.”

Reached Germany. I am sure this visit will lead to beneficial outcomes & deepen India-Germany friendship. pic.twitter.com/RdYLWUYeMn — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 29, 2017

(With inputs from agencies)

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