India's PM to meet Scholz for strategic relationship

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin for the first time next week, the Foreign Ministry in New Delhi announced on Wednesday.

The ministry said the pair will oversee government consultations with the aim of deepening the strategic relationship between India and Germany.

Afterwards, Modi is to travel to France for talks with President Emmanuel Macron for the first time since the French head of state's re-election, it added.

India has opted for a neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine war so far.

It has not condemned Russia's invasion and does not support sanctions subsequently imposed on Moscow.

Since the beginning of the war, India has started buying more cheap oil from Russia.

India also relies heavily on Moscow for its military equipment and spare parts.