Berlin, Apr 11 (IANS): India and Germany Thursday held the second inter-governmental talks to explore possible areas of cooperation.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is co-chairing the delegation level talks along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, Human Resource Development Minister M.M. Pallam Raju and Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy are taking part from the Indian side.

Seven German ministers are assisting Merkel at the talks.

They include Guido Westerwelle (foreign), Philipp Rosler (economy and technology), Hans-Peter Friedrich (interior), Wolfgang Schauble (finance), Daniel Bahr (health), Peter Altmaier (environment and nuclear security) and Johanna Wanka (education).

The two countries are likely to sign a number of agreements after the talks.

Earlier, the Indian prime minister and his delegation were given a ceremonial welcome at the German federal chancellery.

The first round of the India-Germany inter-governmental talks were held in New Delhi in May 2011. Chancellor Merkel attended the talks.