Sushma Swaraj in Germany for talks to strengthen ties

BERLIN: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived here today on a two-day visit during which she will hold talks with the German leadership to strengthen bilateral ties with a particular focus on enhancing economic engagement.

During her visit, Swaraj will hold meetings with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier and a number of other leaders.

Swaraj arrived here from Egypt, where she held talks with the leadership to put in place a bilateral framework for enhancing cooperation in key areas of security, counter- terrorism, defence and investments.

During her visit here, both the countries are expected to review their bilateral relationship with a particular focus on enhancing economic engagement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Germany in April during which the two countries had agreed to broaden bilateral economic cooperation.

A joint statement issued at the end of his visit had said the two countries have established a robust roadmap for expanding their multi-faceted and mutually-beneficial ties and to further strengthen strategic partnership.

Germany is India's largest trading partner in the EU and one of the top ten global trading partners.

The overall exchange of goods and services between the two countries was valued at around around 15.96 billion euros last year, a drop of 1.14 billion euros from the level of 16.10 billion euros registered in 2013.

While India's exports to Germany rose marginally to 7.03 billion euros in 2014, its German imports dropped to 8.92 billion euros from 9.19 billion euros in the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

Germany is the 8th largest foreign investor in India.

Its foreign direct investments in India during January- November 2014 was valued at around USD 995.7 million.

More than 1,600 Indo-German collaborations and around 600 Indo-German joint ventures are currently in operation.