Saturday, April 22 2006 13:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Apr 22, 2006) said his visit to Germany as part of the annual summit meetings with India will help further strengthen relations with the European nation.

"My visit to Germany will provide an opportunity to further strengthen relations with one of the major European powers and a valuable partner on global issues," he said in a statement before leaving for a two-nation, five day visit to Germany and Uzbekistan.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the chiefs of thethree Services were among those who saw off the Prime Minister at his official residence before he left for the airport.

Singh, who described Germany as one of India's most important business partners and as one of the country's major foreign investors, is also scheduled to inaugurate an Indian pavilion at the Hannover fair that coincides with his visit there.

Singh, who will be visiting Berlin during his Germany visit at the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel, will also call on German President Horst Kohler.

In his departure statement, Singh also referred to Indian participaton in the Hannover fair, an event he said will showcase India's potential for business partnerships.

"Over 300 companies, including PSUs, large corporate houses as well as small and medium enterprises, and all the main Chambers of Commerce and Industry will be participating in this event, which will showcase the vast potential for partnership that India offers for trade, industry and technological collaboration through mutual benefit," he said.