Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called Germany a 'world leader' in skills development, adding that though India will pursue its own programme in the field, it can learn a lot from the European nation.
"Our goal of 'Make in India' and creating employment for our youth depends on skill development in our country. Germany is a world leader in this field. India will have to pursue its skill development programme in accordance with its own circumstances. But at the same time, there is a lot that we can learn from Germany. We had a detailed discussion on the subject. Similarly, we intend to further strengthen our close cooperation in the areas of science, technology and education," the Prime Minister said, during the joint press statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Prime Minister further called for Germany's cooperation in the manufacturing of equipment for renewable energy in India.
"An area that has great priority for me personally and for my country is renewable energy and energy efficiency. As I have already said, we intend to add 175 Giga Watts of renewable energy during the next seven years. Germany is a strong partner in the development of clean energy. We would also like your cooperation on manufacturing of equipment for clean and renewable energy in India; and enhance our shared efforts to address the challenge of climate change," he said.
Requesting Germany to felicitate the resumption of negotiations between India and the European Union, the Prime Minister noted that the development of India as a developmental hub will be beneficial for all involved.
"Development of India as a manufacturing hub and expansion of infrastructure of India would also be beneficial for trade. Our imports would also grow. And, it is natural that German companies would benefit a lot from it. In this context, I would also like to state that negotiations between India and European Union on a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement have remained stalled for two years. I have requested Chancellor Merkel that India and European Union should resume the negotiations quickly and conclude a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement at the earliest," he said.
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"We would also like to enhance our cooperation in the area of advanced technology and defence manufacturing. I hope that the German companies would participate enthusiastically in this and that your government would support them fully," he added.
The Prime Minister further thanked Germany for naming India as the partner country for this year's Hannover Messe industrial fair.
"I want to sincerely thank Chancellor Merkel and Germany for the very warm welcome that my delegation and I have received. I am especially grateful that in the first year of my government, India was chosen as a partner country for the largest industrial trade fair in the world," he said.
"Chancellor Merkel was generous with her time for me, my delegation and the CEOs of several Indian companies in Hannover. Today, my delegation and I have once again been heartily welcomed in Berlin. I also thank her for the very open, constructive and perceptive discussions on relations between India and Germany. This is a reflection of her deep concern for Germany's interests and her commitment to India - Germany relations," he added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome given by Chancellor Merkel in the courtyard of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin.
The Prime Minister further stated that it is 'extremely crucial' for India to become a manufacturing hub and added that it would be a big blow to the country if it loses this opportunity.
"I believe that in the coming days, India is going to become a manufacturing hub. It is extremely crucial for us to use this opportunity to turn India into one and if we lose this opportunity, it will be a big loss," said Prime Minister Modi had said.
Prime Minister Modi, who was in Germany on the second leg of his three-nation tour, has vowed to remove unnecessary regulations and procedures to simplify the process of foreign investment in India, as well as to make it easier for other countries to initiate business deals.