Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the bilateral relations between India and Germany are based on the fundamental belief in Democracy and Rule of Law.

Delivering the inaugural statement during the joint press meet along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in New Delhi, Modi appreciated the role of the Inter-Governmental Consultations.

The Prime Minister said this unique mechanism has helped deepen the bilateral relations between India and Germany in several fields such as New & Advanced Technolgy, e-mobility, fuel cell technology, smart cities, inland waterways, coastal management, cleaning of rivers, environmental protection etc.

He said that India is grateful for Germany's support to India's membership in export control regimes and other international forums. He also added that both the countries would continue the cooperation in undertaking reforms in the Security Council, United Nations and other international organisations.

Merkel, who is on a two-day visit to India, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to participate in the fifth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). She was received by Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh at the IGI Airport.

Merkel was accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Science and Education, Food and Agriculture, and an Official Delegation. A business delegation comprising leaders of German companies also accompanied her. 

Welcoming Merkel and her delegation to India, PM Modi said the Chancellor played a key role in strengthening India- Germany relations.

During the visit, Merkel held meetings with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi. Key issues in the discussions included jointly driving the digital transformation through innovation and frontier technologies, especially artificial intelligence, making economic growth sustainable by cooperating on climate change, creating space for people to people contacts through legal mobility for skilled labour, and contributing to a reliable international order by strengthening and updating multilateral institutions.

Five joint declarations of intent were exchanged between India and Germany, said in an official press release. The declarations included cooperation on strategic projects, partnership for green urban mobility, research and development on artificial intelligence and cooperation in the field of prevention of marine litter.

Seventeen agreements in the fields of agriculture, maritime technology, Ayurveda and yoga were also exchanged.