German Chancellor Angela Merkel extends full support to Narendra Modi's 'Make in India'

New Delhi: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday extended full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious program for development of India, saying that Germany intends to be a good partner and supporter on this endeavour.

"What I expect from this third Inter-Governmental Consultations is that first of all it is a consultation at the government level that is to concentrate and demonstrate very closely. On a very broad basis, we are cooperating in the areas such as economy, agriculture and internal security matters," Merkel said after being accorded a ceremonial welcome here at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"We are co-operating on developmental issues, on defence matters and financial relations... We also expect to be able from the part of Germany to lend a contribution towards a further economic build up of the country," she added.

"The Prime Minister has outlined ambitious program for development of this nation and Germany fully intends to be a good partner and supporter on this endeavour," she asserted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merkel will hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening bilateral engagement in defence, security, education, renewable energy, skill development and agriculture.

Merkel arrived in New Delhi last night on a 2-day visit to India.

Welcoming her, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, "Namaste Chancellor Merkel! Warm welcome to you & the delegation. I look forward to fruitful discussions & strengthening India-Germany ties."

India and Germany are strategic partners since 2001. Germany is India's largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest foreign investor in India.