German Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier will inaugurate a consulate in Bangalore during his a two-day official visit to India, beginning Thursday.

Steinmeier, who will be accompanied by a high-ranking economic and cultural delegation, will have bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. He will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani.

According to an MEA statement, India and Germany have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations and are “strategic partners”.

Bilateral trade between India and Germany, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, has doubled to Euro 12 billion in the last three years.

“We have made substantial progress in deepening our cooperation in science and technology and in areas of trade and investment,” an MEA statement said on Wednesday.

Regular exchange of high-level visits have further ensured continued momentum in strategic ties and bilateral relations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel had visited India last year, from October 29 to November 1. A joint statement on further development of the strategic and global partnership between the two countries was issued during Merkel’s visit.