German President to begin 5-day India visit on Feb 4

German President Joachim Gauck will arrive here on February 4 on a five-day State visit during which he will focus on the vast spectrum of bilateral relations.
The President will be accompanied by a high-ranking delegation comprising, among others, representatives of the German cabinet, Parliament and business, a release from the External Affairs Ministry said today.
Announcing the visit, the German Embassy said in a release that, "Political talks as well as meetings with representatives of civil society, visits to companies, a Kendriya Vidyalaya school and a development cooperation project figure prominently on his (Gauck's) agenda in New Delhi and Bangalore".

The visiting dignitary will meet his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Vice- President, Leader of the Opposition and UPA Chairperson will call on the President.
The President will also visit Karnataka from February 7-9 where, among other engagements, he is to hold a meeting with the Governor of Karnataka.
India and Germany are strategic partners since 2000 and, with the commencement of Inter-Governmental Consultations in 2011, there has been significant progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation through regular high-level exchanges at the Head of Government level as also due to cooperation in strategic areas and growing economic and commercial ties, the MEA release said.

Germany continues to be India's largest trading partner in Europe.
Gauck will travel to Myanmar from India on February 9.