India and Germany inked 18 memorandum of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in various fields including higher education, civil aviation, railways and food safety and signed an agreement, first of its kind, to fast-track business approvals. This agreement will make it easier for German companies to operate in Asia’s third largest economy. 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.

These agreements were arrived after official talks between prime minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in New Delhi today (Monday).

The chancellor, accompanied by a large delegation of cabinet Ministers and top officials, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday night and was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday morning.

Ways to deepen bilateral engagement in diverse sectors like defence, security, education and renewable energy figured in the summit-level Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between Modi and Merkel which also deliberated on issues relating to trade and investment.

After the talks, Modi and Merkel held a joint press conference.

Here are highlights from the press conference:

Prime minister Narendra Modi:

*On behalf of the people of India, I warmly congratulate Germany on 25 years of German reunification.

*Chancellor Merkel, your leadership is a source of confidence and reassurance at a difficult moment for Europe and world.

*In a world of challenges and opportunities, India and Germany can be strong partners.

*German engineering and Indian IT skills can create the next industry.

*Special thanks to Dr Merkel and Germany for return of the Durga idol which was from a temple in Jammu and Kashmir.

*I welcome Germany’s strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes.

*I admire German leadership in clean energy and commitment in combating climate change.

*German strengths and India’s priorities are aligned. And so is our mutual goodwill.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel:

*We wish India every success, a good and prosperous development for the PM and his country.

*We are not going to take a break for two years before we meet next.

*We will work together in combating terrorism, defence, arms cooperation, on a broad foundation.

*Energy cooperation is very much in the foreground, particularly in rural areas.

*We believe that India’s experience in digitisation will help us. There is great room for further projects.

*We are greatly enhancing cooperation in science technology and vocational fields.

*Economic relations are of great importance. We are gratified to know that our SMEs are welcome in India.

*We made the best possible use of time, we have been able to sign so many agreements.