Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence here before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.
Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German President located in Berlin's Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitor's book before being given a tour of the castle.
"Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy," Modi said in his goodbye message as he left for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation tour which will then cover Russia and end in France.
From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.
The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.
Next Stop, Spain
After meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, PM Modi has left for Spain — the second country in his four-nation tour.
India Discusses Football, Counter-Terrorism With Germany
Praising Chancellor Merkel’s leadership, in an official address, PM Modi said:
Be it in bilateral relations or humanitarian issues; regional or global issues, every discussion with Chancellor Merkel has been very beneficial for me. We need strong leadership like hers. Our cooperation in areas like renewable energy is gaining momentum.
He also said football is one of the topics to be discussed in their agenda.
We are in Germany to discuss how to provide better coaching for football players back in India…since Germany has internationally gained fame in the world of sports with its football team.
“We have asked Germany to come work with us in India’s civil aviation industry which is one of the world’s best currently,” Modi said, adding that the countries will also engage in counter-terrorism plans together.
In the concluding end of the joint statement with Merkel, Modi said, "we are made for each other".
India is Developing its Solar Energy at a Quick Pace: Merkel
In an official statement, German Chancellor Merkel said India has made quick development in the sector of solar power.
India knows that climate change is a very challenging issue. We also had a discussion on terrorism and the threats it poses because its affects everyone. Counter-terrorism is in Germany’s agenda and india has been supporting G20 agenda.
Merkel and Modi held on Monday evening held talks on regional and global issues from climate change to Afghanistan and terrorism.
India and Germany signed agreements/declaration amounting to a total of 1 billion euros goes into development cooperation.