How Germany gave PM Modi a ceremonial welcome; Russia-Ukraine war discussed with Olaf Scholz? | IGC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his first physical meeting with the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz on Day 1 of his European tour.

PM Modi was received at the Federal Chancellery by the German leader. The Indian premier also received a ceremonial welcome, and inspected the guard of honour.

Later, the two world leaders had a quick "tête-à-tête" before the 6th edition of the Biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations, or IGC. In the one-on-one meeting, Modi and Scholz discussed "regional and global developments", which could be a reference to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Subsequently, the IGC was held which included senior officials and ministers, apart from PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz. Foreign minister S. Jaishankar, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were part of the Indian delegation.

The Indian government said that the meeting was for "an open and peaceful Indo-Pacific, growth, resilience, mobility, prosperity, a greener and sustainable future".