Manmohan Singh returns from ‘fruitful’ visit to Germany

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here at 10.30 p.m. from a three-day “successful” and “fruitful” visit to Germany that saw the signing of six agreements and a strong commitment to conclude an India-EU free trade agreement.

The prime minister, who was accompanied by five of his cabinet colleagues on his visit to Germany, took part in the inter-governmental consultations and agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including education, green energy and science and technology.

A senior official who was a part of the delegation said the visit was very “fruitful” and “successful”.

“The Indo-German cooperation opens up excellent prospects for developing both countries to the benefit of their peoples,” the leaders of the two countries said in a joint statement after the inter-governmental meet Thursday.

“Germany and India share the view that new initiatives in the area of trade, bilateral investment, energy, energy security, the environment, culture, education, training, research, technology and defence can catalyse and activate the great potential of their bilateral ties,” the statement said.