German Chancellor to arrive on Oct 28

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) India and Germany will sign at least 12 pacts for strengthening cooperation in various areas including Defence, security, energy, S&T and trade and investment during the upcoming three-day state visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel from October 28.

The pacts will also include an agreement on 'Mutual Protection of Classified Information'.

Germany's Ambassador to India, Bernd Muetzelburg, said at a press conference here today that the visit is part of the framework of the Strategic Partnership which had been established in 2000.

Ms Merkel, who will be accommpanied by leaders of German Industry including Seimens and Lufthansa, will have discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The meeting will be followed by the signing of agreements.

She is also scheduled to have meetings with President Pratibha Patil, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani.

On October 29, Ms Merkel will visit Mumbai for interactions with the business community. In Mumbai, the focus would be more on economic and financial issues.

On the security issue, the Ambassador said security must not be reduced to military security alone. It should also involve issues like environmental security, which would also come up during the discussions, he added.

On November 1, the German Chancellor will meet members of the civic society and intellectuals. She will also address a CEO's Round-Table of Indo-German Chambers of Commerce.

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