German Chancellor Angela Merkel was received by PrimeMinister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Friday morning. Merkel arrivedin New Delhi Thursday night. She was received at the airport by Minister ofState (MoS) Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh upon her arrival at theIndira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Thursday.

Merkel is on a two-day official visit to India during whichshe will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi on a host of bilateral issues.  The German premiere was accorded a ceremonialwelcome at the Presidential palace Friday morning and later paid tribute atMahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. I am delighted to be here in India. Germany-Indiaare linked by very close ties. We have great respect for this vast country andits diversity,” the German Chancellor said after meeting PM Modi at theRashtrapati Bhawan on Friday.

The topics on agenda during bilateral talks between the twosides are likely to include climate change, skill development, artificialintelligence, sustainable development, security and economy.  Enriching the strategic texture of ourrelationship. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Delhi beginning herState visit to India during which she, along with PM Narendra Modi willco-chair the 5th India-Germany IGC.This would be the 5th meeting between theleaders within a year,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumarsaid.

At the IGC, India and Germany are expected to explore waysto deepen cooperation in areas such as transport, skill development, andenergy, and explore possibilities for cooperation in newer areas like greenurban mobility and Artificial Intelligence

New Delhi and Berlin are expected to sign as many as 20agreements during Merkel’s visit.