Great respect for India’s diversity, says Angela Merkel as she begins fourth visit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on a two-day visit for the 5th inter-governmental consultations between India and Germany.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on her visit to New Delhi, India in 2019. | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

New Delhi: Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel was received by Prime Minister Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan Friday where she received a ceremonial welcome. Union Ministers S. Jaishankar, Kiren Rijiju and Jitendra Singh, along with Lt. Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, were also present. Merkel is on a two-day visit for the 5th Inter-Governmental Consultations, where many agreements will be signed between India and Germany to signify their close equation.

Speaking to reporters, Merkel said she was delighted to be in India and that she had great respect for the country and its diversity. Merkel will call on President Ram Nath Kovind in the evening and also hold a meeting with Narendra Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence, as well as pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This is the fifth meeting between the two leaders this year | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

The German Chancellor receives a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

After her reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Merkel said she had great respect for India | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

 

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaks to a guest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

PM Narendra Modi introduces S. Jaishankar to Angela Merkel | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Union minister Kiren Rijiju, Lt Governor Anil Baijal, and minister of state Jitendra Singh (right) | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

In the two days Merkel is here, she and PM Modi will hold talks on a host of bilateral issues, after which she will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Before heading home, the chancellor will also visit the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro Station.

Ahead of the visit, German envoy to India Walter J Lindner had said the Modi and Merkel have a “very good relationship and they can talk about any issue. I do not want to anticipate what the two leaders will be talking about”.

He was responding to a question on whether the Kashmir issue will be discussed between them.