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GK Update: Key MoU inked during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s India visit

Dear Readers,

German Chancellor
Angela Merkel recently made a three-day visit to India from October 4 – 6 to primarily
attend the third India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations. The two nations
discussed issues concerning green energy, infrastructure development,
educational collaboration, boost in investments, among others and signed a host
of agreements. In this article, we will look into the significant developments
that resulted from the visit.

Background

Germany is
India’s largest trading partner in Europe and the fact that Dr. Merkel made this
visit despite a grave refugee crisis back home, reflects that Germany values bilateral
relations with India and wishes to strengthen it further.

A total of 18 MoU
were signed between India and Germany on matters pertaining to education,
railways, food safety, energy, civil aviation, etc. Merkel’s aim was to lay the
ground for deeper relations with India, thereby enhancing inter-country
engagement on all the fronts, especially business and education.

Key agreements inked:

Out
of the 18 MoU, some hold greater significance because the fields they pertain
to will be crucial for future growth.

1) MoU in Energy Sector

1. This was signed between the Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany and the Ministry
of New and Renewable Energy of India.

2. The countries agreed on the
Indo-Germany Climate and Renewable Alliance to promote long-term climate change
mitigation efforts, make clean energy affordable and accessible to all by
optimal use of technology and funds.

3. Merkel has promised € 1 billion for
India’s Green Energy Corridor and another € 1 billion for its solar projects.

4. India will get € 3 million as
technical assistance for wastewater treatment in the Ganga region. The Clean
Ganga Project will be expanded to Uttarakhand with a bilateral aid of € 120
million.

2) MoU in Higher Education

1. The agreement on Indo-German
Partnerships in Higher Education (IGP) was signed between India’s University
Grants Commission (UGC) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

2. This was signed to open new areas of
cooperation, help participating institutions design research and teaching
profiles and also aid in the making of their policies of internationalization.

3. Through strategically planned
partnerships and adequately funded projects, the MoU will help in enhancing the
quality of teaching and strengthening interdisciplinary aspects.

3) MoU in Foreign Investment Sector

1. A Joint Announcement on setting-up a
fast-track system for German firms in India was signed between the Department
of Industrial Policy and Promotion (India) and Federal Ministry for Economic
Affairs and Energy (Germany).

2. This MoU envisions a single point
clearance for multiple projects in order to encourage investments by German
firms, thereby boosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India campaign.

3. Both the sides contemplated ways to further
negotiations on the long-obstructed India-EU Free Trade pact.

4. There was mutual consensus that private
sector companies of both the nations should take advantage of these new developments
in order to increase trade and investment. Leaders of the two nations also
agreed to identify new fields for business cooperation and schedule the next
meeting of the Indo-German Joint Commission in India in 2016.

Other pacts
signed:

1. MoU on Language Promotion – A Joint Declaration of Intent was signed
between the Ministry of Human Resource Development of India and the Federal
Foreign Office of Germany with the aim of promoting German as a foreign
language in India and Modern Indian Languages in Germany.

2. MoU on Skill Development –Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (India) and Federal Ministry of Education and
Research and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany)
signed this agreement to cooperate in skill development, vocational education
and training.

3. MoU on Security Cooperation – This was inked between the Ministry of Home Affairs (India) and Federal Ministry of the
Interior (Germany) to combat terrorism and organised crime, in all their forms,
and avert unlawful production of narcotic substances.

4. MoU on Aviation Security – This was signed between the Ministry of Civil Aviation (India) and the Federal Ministry
of the Interior (Germany) for exchange of information, technological assistance
and cooperation on basic as well as advanced security training.

5. MoU on Disaster Management – This will improve cooperation in disaster
management through exchange of information, processing technologies and
scientific resources. It was signed between the
Ministry of Home Affairs (India) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior
(Germany).

6. MoU on IGSTC – This was inked between the Ministry of Science and Technology (India) and the
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany) so as to extend the tenure
of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre.

7. MoU on Plant Protection Product – Its objective is to strengthen
cooperation in plant variety protection and conservation of
plant genetic resources. It was signed between the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (India) and the Federal
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (Germany).

8. MoU on Railways – This was signed between the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (Germany)
and the Ministry of Railways (India) to aid further development of cooperation
between railways of the two countries.

9. MoU on Manufacturing – Inked between the
Department of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, (India) and Fraunhofer
Society (Germany), this agreement will focus on augmenting cooperation in the
manufacturing and industrial sector.

10.MoU on Executive
Training –
Signed
between the Government of India and Germany, this pact will aim at extending
cooperation in the area of advanced training of corporate executives and junior
executives from India, thereby creating better career opportunities for
participants.

11.MoU on Food Safety Inked between Germany’s Federal
Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority
of India (FSSAI), this agreement seeks to increase cooperation in ensuring food
safety. A second Joint Statement of Intent was signed
between the FSSAI and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety
(BVL) to promote better relations in food-related sectors.

12.MoU on Agriculture
Sector –
The
German Agribusiness Alliance and Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) signed
this agreement to improve understanding in agricultural studies, which would be
crucial for India as a large part of its economy is dependent on agriculture.

13.MoU on Development
Cooperation –
This
was signed between the Government of India and the Government of Germany. It presents a summarised
record of the negotiations between the two sides on development cooperation.

14.MoU on Nobel Laureates – Department
of Science and Technology, Government of India (DST), the Council for the
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, and the Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
inked this agreement to generate support for the participation of young Indian
scientists in natural sciences for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

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