Merkel India Visit to Focus on Berlin-New Delhi Economic Cooperation

The Make in India initiative and a free trade agreement will be key points in talks between Indian leadership and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her upcoming visit to New Delhi, sources in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs told Sputnik on Friday.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Merkel will visit India October 4-6. She is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit is one of the important visits which India is looking for, especially after the successful visit of Indian Prime Minister to Germany in April this year," the sources told Sputnik.

They added that part of the discussion will focus on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement after both sides in April agreed to resume talks on the issue.

The Indian prime minister is expected to push his Make in India initiative, trying to involve German companies in its implementation. The sides will also discuss renewable energy, military cooperation and anti-terrorist efforts.

The Make in India initiative was launched by the government last year to encourage business to manufacture products in the country, creating additional jobs for the local population.