German Chancellor arrives in India for talks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in India on Saturday to strengthen bilateral trade relations, and discuss matters related to trade and defense, officials said.

The two-day official visit includes a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which they are expected to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“PM @narendramodi receives German Chancellor @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz for a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Chancellor Scholz’s visit is an opportunity to further deepen the multifaceted India-Germany Strategic Partnership,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

This is Scholz’s first visit to India since taking office as chancellor. The German leader is expected to exchange a series of memoranda of understanding focusing on bilateral trade.

German ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, said at a press conference ahead of Scholz’s arrival that the chancellor would be accompanied by a delegation of top entrepreneurs, including leaders of the technology and industrial group Siemens and software manufacturer SAP.

“We are expecting many bilateral agreements to be signed amongst German and Indian firms,” said Ackermann.

Talks will also focus on a possible free trade agreement between the European Union and India, and greater cooperation between the Asian country and Germany on defense, renewable and green energy.