Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, visited India on March 22-25, 2018. This was his first visit to India as the President of Germany. He has visited India several times in his former capacity as the Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany – in 2015 accompanying Chancellor Merkel to attend the 3rd Intergovernmental Consultations, in September 2014 and in November 2008. Minister of State (MoS) Drinking Water and Sanitation SS Ahluwalia received the German President, who was accompanied by his wife Elke Büdenbender.
This visit was an important in every perspective after Angela Markel was re-elected as Chancellor. The bilateral relation between India and Germany are foremost, after having developed strategic partnership in the year 2000. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe and the sixth largest trading partner in the world. India was ranked 24th in Germany’s global trade.
Dr. Frank delivered speech on “India and Germany — Ideas and Perspectives” at Delhi University. He also had official talks with PM Narendra Modi. He also visited Jama Masjid after his visit Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology.
During his five-day visit German President also visited Varanasi for evening arti and he also took tour of the Sarnath Museum. Dr. Frank also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Raj Ghat.
The two sides attach priority to the relationship, bilaterally and also in the global context,” Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of ministry of external affairs, tweeted after External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj met the President. While interacting with Dr. Steinmeier, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said that India and Germany share similar perceptions on most of the issues confronting the world.
President Steinmeier also visited IIT Madras to address business talks with industry leaders followed by visit to Shore temple in Mahabalipuram.
Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe and the sixth largest trading partner in the world. India was ranked 24th in Germany’s global trade.
by Mrs. Meenakshi Sharma