NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi last night after attending theVIth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza in Brazil. On his way back, Modi made a transit halt at Frankfurt and had a telephonic conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Prime Minister complimented the German Chancellor on the splendid victory of the German football team and also conveyed his good wishes to Chancellor Merkel on her 60th birthday which was yesterday.

The Prime Minister conveyed that India regards Germany as a very important partner and that his Government will work closely with the German side to strengthen and deepen the bilateral strategic partnership. He invited the German Chancellor to visit India in 2015 for the third meeting of the India Germany Consultations. She accepted his invitation. The two leaders also briefly discussed areas of bilateral cooperation including through skill development. During his visit, Modi had bilateral meetings with leaders from Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa.

Prime Minister also had an opportunity to interact with eleven South American leaders at the meeting between BRICS and South America hosted by Brazilian President Rousseff. This was the first occasion when an Indian Prime Minister had an opportunity to meet so many South American leaders at one place. The visit of Prime Minister Modi is being termed as a very important and fruitful one as far as the diplomatic gain to India is concerned.