Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

German chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit India on February 25, to meet PM Modi

The European leader will proceed to Bengaluru in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on February 26, India’s ministry of external affairs said.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit India on February 25, to meet PM Modi

German chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to pay a state visit to India on February 25 and 26, his first trip to the country more than a year after he took charge of the top post in December 2021.

Announcing the German chancellor's visit, the Indian ministry of external affairs (MEA) said on Monday (20) that Scholz will be accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation.


He is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on February 25 and will proceed to Bengaluru in the southern Indian state of Karnataka the next day, the MEA said.

It also added that Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and chancellor Scholz will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues.

"Chancellor Scholz's visit will enable both sides to take stock and progress on the key outcomes of the 6th IGC (Inter Governmental Consultations), strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance opportunity for mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in science and technology," the MEA said.

Modi and Scholz will also interact with CEOs and business leaders from both sides.

"This is the first standalone visit of a German chancellor to India since the biennial Inter-Governmental Consultation mechanism commenced in 2011, which is a whole-of-government framework under which ministers from both countries hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility and report on the outcome of discussions to the prime minister and chancellor," the MEA said in a statement.

It said Scholz will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president.

He will also call on Indian president Droupadi Murmu.

Ahead of his visit to India, the German chancellor, at the Munich Security Conference, broadly echoed Indian external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's comments made last year relating to the "European mindset".

"This quote from the Indian foreign minister is included in this year's Munich Security Report and he has a point," Scholz said. He said it would not be Europe's problem alone if the "law of the strong were to assert itself in international relations".

At an event in Slovakia in June last year, Jaishankar was severely critical of the "European mindset" and said Europe has to "grow out of the mindset that Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems".

The external affairs minister had made the remarks while responding to a question on India's position on the ongoing war in Ukraine which Russia attacked nearly a year ago.

(PTI)

More For You

uk-railways-iStock

The package includes £415 million to upgrade the rail line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, a route affected by delays and disruptions. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Government announces £1.7 bn transport investment for the North

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a £1.7 billion investment to improve transport infrastructure across the North, focusing on buses, roads, and rail.

The funding aims to upgrade key routes and improve connectivity across the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
Keir-Starmer-Getty

Keir Starmer’s communications chief has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Starmer’s communications chief Matthew Doyle resigns after nine months

KEIR STARMER’s communications chief, Matthew Doyle, has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. Doyle, a Labour veteran who previously worked for Tony Blair, joined Starmer’s team as communications director four years ago when the party was in opposition.

His departure follows that of Sue Gray, Starmer’s former chief of staff, who left in the autumn. Doyle’s exit is expected to lead to the promotions of James Lyons to director of communications (strategy) and Steph Driver to director of communications (delivery), according to the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Leicester leaders push for major expansion amid local government shake-up

Leicester’s population is expected to grow from 372,000 now to just over 600,000 by 2028

Leicester leaders push for major expansion amid local government shake-up

Hannah Richardson

LEICESTER leaders have named the areas they want to be incorporated into the city amid a shake-up of local government structures. The massive expansion plan would see a number of towns and villages at the city’s edges brought inside Leicester’s boundary.

Leicester City Council is looking to take part of Blaby and Harborough districts, and part of Oadby and Wigston and Charnwood boroughs. Among the communities being eyed up are Glenfield, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Whetstone, Syston, Anstey, Leicester Forest East, Birstall, Kirby Muxloe, Thurmaston and Countesthorpe.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lakshmi-Mittal-Getty

Mittal, who built his steel business over five decades, moved to the UK in 1995. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Lakshmi Mittal may leave UK after non-dom tax abolition: report

STEEL tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is considering leaving the UK following the government’s decision to abolish the non-domiciled tax status. The move would make him one of the most prominent entrepreneurs to leave due to the tax reform.

Mittal, who has lived in the UK for three decades, has informed associates that his departure is likely due to Labour’s decision to end the non-dom regime, which allowed certain residents to avoid paying UK tax on foreign income.

Keep ReadingShow less
King Charles

The palace said in a statement that after receiving scheduled treatment in the morning, the king had 'temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital.' (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

King Charles cancels engagements after cancer treatment side effects

KING CHARLES has postponed his engagements for Thursday and Friday after experiencing side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace announced.

The palace said in a statement that after receiving scheduled treatment in the morning, the king had "temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital."

Keep ReadingShow less