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.
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.