New Delhi/UNI: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived here Saturday on a two-day State visit and was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, ahead of his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said that PM Modi received the German Chancellor who is in India on a stand-alone visit at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He also tweeted that the visit is an opportunity to further deepen the multifaceted bilateral Strategic Partnership.

"PM @narendramodi receives German Chancellor @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz for a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"Chancellor Scholz’s visit is an opportunity to further deepen the multifaceted India-Germany Strategic Partnership."

This is the German Chancellor’s first visit to India after assuming office.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Scholz will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues at Hyderabad House.

The two Leaders will also interact with CEOs and business leaders of both sides. A number of business-to-business agreements are expected to be inked.

Chancellor Scholz will also call on President Droupadi Murmu.

The India-Germany Strategic Partnership is underpinned by shared values, trust and mutual understanding. Robust investment and trade linkages, cooperation in the areas of green and sustainable development and growing people-to-people ties have strengthened bilateral relations. India and Germany also work closely at multilateral and international platforms, notably as part of the G4 for UNSC reforms.

Chancellor Scholz’s visit will enable both sides to take stock and progress on the key outcomes of the 6th IGC, strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance opportunity for mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science & Technology, a statement said.

In November last year, the two leaders had met on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali. The two leaders first met during PM Modi's visit to Berlin on May 2 last year for the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

This was followed by PM Modi's visit to Schloss Elmau in Germany, as partner country for the G7 Summit at Chancellor Scholz’s invitation.