Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday touched upon a number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement at the end of the first day of Prime Minister Modi’s two-day Germany visit, “The two leaders discussed Afghanistan and reiterated their support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation and development process. There was discussion also on the issue of radicalization and terrorism and each country experience in dealing with this.”
The statement added that Prime Minister Modi also appreciated Germany’s presence in Afghanistan to provide stability and called upon the need for consolidation of efforts in Afghanistan.
“The leaders also touched upon OBOR (one Belt One Road). There was some discussion on climate change issues and the leaders discussed the possibilities included in the G 20 contact, there was exchange also on happenings in the international arena,” said the MEA.
The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).
The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.
The German side appreciated India’s economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.