India and Germany to intensify cooperation

New Delhi, Nov 21 : German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeierho is on a three-day maiden visit to India to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries, met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee last evening.

Issues like current global economic crisis and environment protection are likely to be the focus during his visit. The issue of escalating violence in Afghanistan is also expected to come up during his discussions with Indian leaders. A delegation of businessmen is accompanying Steinmeier. Steinmeier will inaugurate new German Consulate General in IT city Bangalore. Germany is India's sixth largest trading partner and seventh largest foreign investor in India. Bilateral trade between India and Germany is growing steadily, with more and more German companies investing in India. According to reports, trade between the two countries doubled in last three years to 12 billion euros.

ANI