Translated material
"Don't forget India"
Angela Merkel conquers Asia
Yesterday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel went to India, where she will stay for four days. This will be her longest Asian trip yet. The German delegation was transported to Delhi by two planes, both filled with business representatives and politicians. Back in 2006, Germany and India declared themselves “strategic partners.” Topics for discussion include the environment, relations with Pakistan, as well as agreements between India and the United States regarding the supply of nuclear fuel for Indian nuclear power plants without India signing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.On the eve of the visit, Mrs. Merkel announced her intention to “give momentum” primarily to economic relations. "Don't forget India!" - she quoted in a television interview the words of Lakshmi Mittal, a businessman of Indian origin, reputed to be one of the richest people in the world. The Federal Chancellor also wished for more Indian students to study in Germany. These words were spoken after European Commissioner Franco Frattini announced the upcoming introduction of a “blue card” for foreigners who possess skills that are in short supply for the EU. At the top of their list are the programmers for whom India is famous.
German business looks to India full of anticipation for the “new chapter” promised by the Chancellor in German-Indian relations. The annual growth rate of Indian GDP over the past five years has reached 7-9%, and India's investment needs in the fields of transport and energy in the coming years are estimated at 360 billion euros. Against the background of these scales, the 2.6 billion euros already invested by German companies in the Indian economy look more than modest.
This year, at the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, India was one of five countries with which it was decided to engage in closer dialogue, including on environmental issues. The desire of developing economies to link energy consumption to economic growth is hampering international efforts to protect the climate. Chancellor Merkel, who will serve as chairman of the G8 until the end of the year, supported Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent proposal for developing economies to focus on per capita carbon dioxide emissions.