NEW DELHI, Jumada II 28, 1432, May 31, 2011, SPA - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has begun talks with India's prime minister on trade and defense. Merkel is accompanied by seven German ministers for the first high-level consultations Tuesday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian officials, according to a report of the Associated Press. India and Germany hope to boost bilateral trade which currently stands at around $21 billion. The two leaders will also discuss terrorism and security issues, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism training. --SPA 12:55 LOCAL TIME 09:55 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/898361