German Chancellor Scholz to arrive in India on two-day visit, beginning from February 25

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will pay a State visit to India on February 25-26, 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Monday.

This will be Chancellor Scholz’s first standalone visit since the biennial Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) mechanism commenced in 2011, which is a whole-of-government framework under which ministers from both countries hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility and report on the outcome of discussions to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, the Ministry said.

Chancellor Scholz will be accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation.

Scholz, who is visiting India for the first time in his current role as the German Chancellor, will hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional, and global issues.

The two Leaders will also interact with CEOs and business leaders of both sides, the Ministry added.

Chancellor Scholz’s visit will enable both sides to take stock and progress on the key outcomes of the 6th IGC, strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance opportunity for mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science & Technology, the MEA said.

Before holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi, the German Chancellor will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, the MEA said. Chancellor Scholz will also call on President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry added.

India and Germany are strategic partners and their ties are underpinned by shared values, trust, and mutual understanding.

Robust investment and trade linkages, cooperation in the areas of green and sustainable development and growing people-to-people ties have strengthened bilateral relations.

India and Germany also work closely at multilateral and international platforms, notably as part of the G4 for UNSC reforms, the MEA said.