German President Joachim Gauck began his visit to India last month by paying homage to India’s freedom campaigner Mahatma Gandhi, laying a wreath at the New Delhi site where the leader of the Indian independence movement was cremated following his assassination. During his first substantial visit to Asia while in office, the President instigated political and diplomatic dialogue with Indian President Mukherjee and Prime Minister Singh, contemplating the close links between the two nations and their future collective potential.

During the visit, two Umbrella Agreements for financial and technical cooperation under Indo-German bilateral development cooperation were signed between India and Germany. Energy, Environment and Sustainable Economic Development are priority sectors under the bilateral development partnership between the two nations.

Highlighting the importance of cooperation between India and Germany on “global issues such as security, development, global trade and climate protection”, the President’s diplomatic visit follows on from his appeal at The Munich Security Conference on January 31, calling for Germany to play a greater role in the international community. In particular, he proposed that Germany should engage as a good partner in the Asia-Pacific more conclusively and to a greater extent.