India and Germany are expected to sign pacts on renewable energy, science and education and discuss an India-Europe trade pact during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Berlin this week, officials said Monday. Singh is scheduled to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday and President Joachim Gauck the following day.
"The second round of these consultations will be another landmark in relations with Germany that are growing swiftly in several important areas," Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said. Five ministers will accompany Singh. Talks are to focus on the early conclusion of the India-European Union free-trade agreement.
Trade between India and the EU nearly reached the target of 20 billion euros (25.97 billion US dollars) last year, but volumes had contracted 10 per cent because of the global economic slowdown, Mathai said. India will also seek German investment in infrastructure and technology in towns along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, a joint venture with Japan. Both sides will also discuss the threat to country's stability from Afghan Taliban insurgents when the 2014 drawdown of international troops takes place, Mathai said.