India visit will boost bilateral ties: Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on her first trip to India, today said that her visit will boost the economic, scientific and strategic partnership between India and Germany.

New Delhi, Oct 30 : German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on her first trip to India, today said that her visit will boost the economic, scientific and strategic partnership between India and Germany.

"I hope that my visit will be giving a contribution to further enhancing the very strong relationship between India and Germany. It will enhance strategic partnership in political field as well as in science and technology," said Angela Merkel after receiving a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who welcomed Merkel here, said that India is looking forward to having discussion with Merkel on bilateral, regional and global issues.

"We look forward to having a discussion with her on bilateral, regional and global issues. I think the interdependence of nations is a fact of life. We want this interdependence should be equitable, should benefit all nations. We expect Chancellor Merkel to provide the leadership to the world in this matter," said Singh.

Merkel also visited Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat, to offer flowers.

Boosting ties in newer areas such as environmental technology and software as well as machinery, electrical engineering and chemicals will be in focus during her visit.

Business leaders are accompanying Merkel on her three-day visit to New Delhi and Mumbai.

Among the 30 executives on the trip are senior executives from European planemaker Airbus, conglomerate Siemens, rail operator Deutsche Bahn andeinsurer Munich Re.

Merkel, under fire from some business leaders for emphasising human rights at the expense of business in her relations with Russia and China, is also meeting ethnic minority groups and non-governmental organisations.

ANI