Merkel calls for free trade agreements with India in New Delhi
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) sees good opportunities for more investment by the German economy in India. This was the case, for example, with the modernisation of infrastructure such as the expansion of high-speed train connections, Merkel said at the Annual General Meeting of the German-Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi on Saturday.
A new regulation on investment protection is also needed, says Merkel
At the same time, at the end of her visit to India, the Chancellor urged a new impetus for a free trade agreement between the European Union and the 1,3-billion-inhabitant country. 2007, talks started for such an agreement with India had been interrupted by both sides.
According to Merkel, the Federal Government also wants to simplify the immigration of Indian professionals to Germany. It was also necessary to introduce a new regime in the field of investment protection, since the old regime 2016 had expired. German-Indian cooperation has far more potential in the future than it has so far.
The Chancellor said there should also be more cooperation on digitisation, innovation, health, agriculture and sustainable issues. Merkel stressed her commitment to a non-protectionist multilateral trading system. India and Germany wanted to strengthen this together.
Merkel also said that both countries are reliable economic partners. German entrepreneurs, however, are reluctant to invest, partly because of complicated bureaucratic procedures in India.
New Delhi is one of the cities with the worst air pollution in the world
Germany wants to spend a million euros in the next five years as part of a new partnership with India on green urban mobility. For example, new electric buses are to be used in an Indian state of 500.
"Those who looked at the air quality in Delhi yesterday certainly have some good arguments for the need for more electric buses," she said.
New Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Currently the smog is so dangerous that doctors recommend wearing respiratory masks. But Merkel did not do so during her visit to India.
Subsequently, Merkel visited a factory of the Continental automotive supplier, which has been present in India for ten years with technology partnerships and joint ventures. Continental employs more than 8000 employees at 15 locations. Among them are eight plants for the Indian market and a technical development centre that supports global research.
The company had inaugurated a new development centre focusing on testing brake systems "Made in India". The focus is on safety, automated driving, digitisation and industry 4.0.
Chancellor also visited solar-powered metro station
Merkel also visited a solar-powered metro station in the Indian capital to find out about environmental and energy technology. The station also uses battery-operated electric rickshaws. A part of the Metro was co-financed by German development aid and equipped with solar power. According to the Federal Government, the Indian operator wants to convert the station as the first in the world completely to electricity from renewable energies.(徳囯ASK电容器)