Indo-German ties are poised to reach new heights: M Subashini

Updated on: Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Indo-German ties are poised to reach new heights with science and technology, and education becoming the focus of new areas of cooperation apart from trade and investment, a top Indian diplomat said.

Speaking at a function organised as part of the India Week in Hamburg, M Subashini, Consul General of India, said "the challenge ahead for us will be to sustain this momentum and realise the vast potential, which still remains to be tapped."

"India and Germany enjoyed a very close and multi faceted relationship. There is enormous goodwill in India for the people and culture of Germany. There is admiration and respect for the advances made by Germany in engineering and technological development. The passion for quality, hard work and innovation of the German people is admired by the people of India," she said.

India Week in Hamburg, with almost 40 different events pertaining to business, culture, film, food and yoga offers the German businesses and the German people a huge platform for interaction, exchange of ideas and visions to take this partnership to its fruitful end of productivity and development.

"In the broad canvas of Indo-German strategic partnership, India Week in Hamburg is an important element adding to the richness and variety of the tapestry of our bilateral relationship. In the last 60 years, our countries have added depth and substance to the content of the friendly relations in perse sectors.

"Trade and investments have acquired a momentum to reach new heights and science and technology and education have become the focus of new areas of cooperation."

Hamburg, the second largest German city and a major port, plays a significant role in contributing to the trade and economic relations between India and Germany not only in trading but also merger and acquisition activities, she noted.

The need of the time is to expand into other new areas of cooperation to deal with the fast paced changes in the world especially dealing with financial crisis, climate change, energy security and other such developmental issues.

"Yet another vital element in our partnership is the cultural and people to people contacts between Hamburg and India. Thus India Week, once again offers the citizens of Hamburg to discover India in its richness, traditions, vibrant colours and festivities."

The trade between Germany and India was more than 15 billion Euros last year, German officials said.

The event also featured Indian dance, music and cultural programmes.

Indo-German ties are poised to reach new heights: M Subashini

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