India, Germany to discus Eurozone crisis, Afghanistan

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SME Times News Bureau | 22 Jun, 2012
With the global financial crisis deepening, India and Germany will Friday discus the developments in the Eurozone, the fragile security situation in Afghanistan and the evolving Asian security architecture.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle will hold talks with his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna in IT hub Bangalore on a host of bilateral, regional and global isues.

The two ministers will discuss issues such as the recent developments in the Eurozone, the evolving situation against the backdrop of the recently-concluded Afghan summit and India's ever-increasing strategic role in Asia's security architecture, the German embassy said in New Delhi.

At the G20 summit in Mexico two days ago, Prime Minister ManmohanSingh pledged an additional USD 10 billion to the International Monetary Fund to help ease the Eurozone financial crisis.

The talks will, among others, focus on enhancing bilateral trade, strengthening cooperation in the fields of green technologies, environmental protection, as well as higher education, IT sector and the recently launched Blue Card scheme of the German government, said the embassy.

The two ministers are also expected to discuss the progress in the UN reforms and step up the G4 initiative that seeks permanent seats for India, Germany, Japan and Brazil in a reformed UN Security Council.

Westerwelle, on his third visit to India, will be accompanied by a strong 50-member delegation consisting of leading German corporate honchos.

Westerwelle and Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda will Friday inaugurate the Indo-German Urban Mela, the showpiece of the "Year of Germany and India 2011-2012" which has been themed "Infinite Opportunities". The Palace Grounds in Bangalore will host 16 specially-designed pavilions and a slew of interactive presentations that explore how urban life can be improved. The pavilions are designed by renowned German artist Markus Heinsdorff and seek to blend India's rich textile legacy with state-of-the-art technology.

The German minister will also inaugurate the new facilities at the German consulate in Bangalore and deliver the Founder's Day Lecture at the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.