India, Germany Sign 18 Mous at Third Inter-Governmental Consultations Meet

BANGALORE: India and Germany ink 18 MoUs for cooperation in various fields including higher education, civil aviation, railways and food safety.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while giving a joint statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "In a world of seamless challenges and opportunities, India and Germany can be strong partners."

Merkel is in India for the third Inter-Governmental Consultations meet.

India and Germany signed a deal on Monday to fast-track business approvals, an arrangement to make it easier for German companies to operate in Asia's third largest economy that was announced as Chancellor Angela Merkel visited New Delhi.

The fast-track approvals process will ensure that German firms will have a single point of contact in the Indian administration, helping them to navigate a web of red tape that often thwarts business initiative.

The agreement is the first of its kind and comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to attract foreign investment in support of his "Make in India" drive to boost industrial investment and create skilled jobs.

Indian Commerce Secretary Amitabh Kant said that under the fast-track arrangement India "would monitor on a monthly basis all issue for German companies."

"The prospects are huge because India is just beginning its long spurt for growth," DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant told a business round table.

Merkel was expected to urge Modi to return to the negotiating table to discuss a proposed free-trade agreement with the European Union that has been on ice since India walked out of talks this year.

Merkel said, "Very glad that we were able to sign the fast track agreement here." She added that with this, "the speed with which you provide licences to companies to set business here has increased".

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