New Delhi: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India on Monday for his first official visit, marking an important milestone in India–Germany relations. The two-day visit, scheduled from January 12 to 13, is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to further strengthen cooperation across economic, strategic, and technological domains.
The visit begins in Ahmedabad, where Prime Minister Modi will host the German leader. Both leaders are scheduled to visit the Sabarmati Ashram, reflecting the shared emphasis on democratic values and historical legacy. They will also attend the International Kite Festival along the Sabarmati Riverfront, blending cultural engagement with diplomacy.
Formal bilateral discussions are set to take place at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, where the two leaders will review the progress of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently completed 25 years. Over the years, this partnership has expanded steadily, covering political dialogue, economic cooperation, and coordination on regional and global issues.
Trade, investment, and defence cooperation are expected to dominate the talks. Both sides are keen to deepen economic ties, expand industrial collaboration, and promote technology partnerships. Defence and security cooperation is likely to receive particular attention, reflecting growing convergence on Indo-Pacific security, defence manufacturing, and strategic autonomy.
Other key areas on the agenda include science and innovation, education and skilling, mobility, green and sustainable development, and climate action. These sectors are seen as natural areas of synergy, given Germany’s industrial and technological strengths and India’s expanding market and manufacturing base.
The visit follows recent interactions between Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to elevating bilateral ties. The timing is also significant, coming just weeks ahead of the India–EU Summit, positioning Germany as a leading partner in shaping India’s engagement with Europe.
For India, the visit highlights growing engagement with key European powers amid shifting global geopolitics. For Germany, India represents a crucial partner for economic diversification, supply chain resilience, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chancellor Merz’s visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into the strategic partnership, potentially leading to new agreements and initiatives in trade, defence, sustainability, and technology, and setting the tone for closer India–Europe relations in the years ahead.
