New Delhi: India and Germany will mark 60
years of diplomatic relations between them by hosting
year-long programmes in their respective countries in 2012,
President Pratibha Patil said on Tuesday.
Hosting a banquet in honour of German President Horst
Kohler, the President said India and Germany will attain the
60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the two countries in 2011.
"I am informed that preparations are afoot to mark this
occasion with a 'Year of Germany' in India and a 'Year of
India' in Germany in 2012," she said.
Recounting the strategic partnership set up by the two
countries in 2001, Patil said relations between India and
Germany has touched new heights.
"We, in India, see Germany amongst our most important
interlocutors and as one of the pillars of the future
multilateral order. We cooperate closely in the international
fora and on important issues, like the reform and expansion of
the United Nations Security Council," she said.
The President said India-Germany cooperation extends to
focused groupings such as the G-20 and political leaderships
of the two countries remain in touch on issues such as global
economic crisis, international terrorism, poverty alleviation,
food security among others.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, February 02, 2010, 22:09