(Pics) German Prez appreciates India's active civil society

Updated: Friday, February 7, 2014, 15:04 [IST]

New Delhi, Feb 7: The German President Joachim Gauck is on a six-day state visit to India since Tuesday with an 80-member delegation comprising representatives of the German cabinet, Parliament and business community.

On Wednesday, while addressing a gathering at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, Guack said "India outlined the importance of democracy and it was for this reason that he chose the country as the first stop of his Asia trip".

"I deliberately chose India as the destination of my first long trip to Asia. A democracy should be the first target of a presidential visit," he said.

The German President was speaking at a seminar 'India and Germany: Strategic Partners for the 21 st century' organised by the university.

Indians do not hide their problems, Guack said adding they too understand the responsibility for the welfare of Europe and their role in resolving the European crisis.

German President Joachim Gauck is accompanied by his wife, Daniela Schadt.

Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Freedom and power bring responsibility' remark, Gauck said "our two countries, Germany and India, have both freedom as well as power. We both may feel not as dominant global superpower but we need to seriously ask: what can we do to meet our international responsibilities?"

Guack said Germany was committed to the framework of the United Nations for world security and Indian involvement in its peacekeeping missions was also significant.

Speaking on India-Germany relations, the German President said the two countries could together play an important role on the subjects of security, development and climate protection at a global platform.

Gauck is accompanied by his wife, Daniela Schadt. He will be in Bangalore on Friday and Saturday.

Here are some pics of German President Joachim Gauck in New Delhi:

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany and his partner Daniela Schadt with MoS for Home RPN Singh upon their arrival at New Delhi's airport on Tuesday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greets German President Joachim Gauck as his wife Daniela Schadt and President Pranab Mukherjee looks on during the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, German President Joachim Gauck, his partner Daniela Schadt and Pranab Mukherjee's daughter Sharmishtha (R) during the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German President, Joachim Gauck during the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German President, Joachim Gauck during the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

German President Joachim Gauck with JNU VC Sudhir Kumar Sopory during a special lecture programme on "India and Germany: Strategic Partners for the 21st Century" at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in New Delhi on Thursday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

German President Joachim Gauck obliges students for photographs as he leaves after a special lecture programme on "India and Germany: Strategic Partners for the 21st Century" at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in New Delhi on Thursday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

German President Joachim Gauck leaves after delivering a special lecture on "India and Germany: Strategic Partners for the 21st Century" at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in New Delhi on Thursday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

German President Joachim Gauck interacts with teachers and students after a special lecture programme on "India and Germany: Strategic Partners for the 21st Century" at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in New Delhi on Thursday.

In pics: German President Joachim Gauck in India

German President Joachim Gauck with students and teachers after a special lecture programme on "India and Germany: Strategic Partners for the 21st Century" at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in New Delhi on Thursday.