Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and discussed a wide range of issues focused on bolstering bilateral strategic ties. Modi welcomed Scholz for a one-on-one meeting at his official residence here and is learnt to have exchanged views on areas such as defence, trade and clean energy.
In an oblique reference to China, the German Chancellor called for avoiding “one-sided dependencies” specifically in strategic areas and engaging India more for business as the bilateral trade has surpassed $ 30 billion.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, Olaf Scholz said, “We must avoid one-sided dependencies, particularly in areas of strategic importance – critical raw materials and certain technologies, for instance.”
Scholz’s assertion on looking for an alternative to China for trade converged with Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering India as “a prime centre of diversification and de-risking” for trade and manufacturing.
“India is becoming a prime centre of diversification and de-risking and is emerging as a hub of global trade and manufacturing. Given this scenario, now is the most opportune time for you to make in India, and make for the world,” Modi said after both the leaders opened the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business.