German Chancellor communicated in English with PM

Berlin, Apr 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was pleasantly surprised when German Chancellor Angela Merkel told him that she had no hesitation in communicating with him in English.

"The two leaders met for nearly 45 minutes and they communicated in English all through...this did help sort out issues between the two countries," senior Indian officials acknowledged.

The officials said this was the first time a German Chancellor was communicating with an Indian Prime Minister in English.

In the past, the German Chancellors, even if they knew English, would communicate in the German language.

"Normally when the leaders communicate through interpretors, they are not able to develop a personal rapport immediately...but when both leaders talk in English, the meeting is always friendly and comprehensive," the officials noted.

They pointed out that in such high-level meetings, half the time is lost if the leaders communicate through interpretors.

"But the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Chancellor was extremely cordial and business-like,'' the officials said.

They said even Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Jacques Chirac and Chinese leaders would not communicate in English although they could speak the language. The then German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder communicated through an interpretor with the Prime Minister when he visited New Delhi in 2004 for the India-Germany annual summit.

UNI AT/RR KN0928