Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. (PIB/PTI)

INDIA and Germany inked over 20 agreements, including in the field of Artificial Intelligence, green urban mobility and agriculture, and resolved to jointly combat terrorism, as visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here as part of the 5th Inter Governmental Consultations.

 

 

While strengthening Cooperation in the Field of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation formed a major part of the joint statement, there was also a large section on combating terrorism. PM Modi, in his address, said that India and Germany have resolved to intensify bilateral and multilateral cooperation to deal with the threats of terrorism and extremism.

 

 

Both sides are also focusing on strategic cooperation in the field of new and advanced technology. The two sides have stressed on cooperation in the fields of new and advanced technology, Artificial Intelligence, skills, education, cyber security, he added.

 

 

The two countries have also agreed to explore cooperation in news areas like e-mobility, fuel cell technology, smart cities, inland water ways, coastal management, cleaning of rivers and climate change, he added. “We invite Germany to take advantage of opportunities in the field of defence production in defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,” Modi said.

 

 

He said the expertise of a technological and economic power house like Germany would be useful in the path of building a ‘new India’ by 2022. India and Germany will continue cooperation to expedite reforms in the UN Security Council, Modi said. Merkel, attired in a red trouser suit, said the MoUs inked between the two sides “show how broad the scope of our cooperation is”.

 

    

“In Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation, India has a huge potential in the field of digitalisation. In the field of 5G and AI, it would be a challenge, and if we can work together it would be a wonderful way of cooperation,” Merkel said.