Ahmedabad , 12 January (H.S.): Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany embarked on his inaugural official visit to India on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, heralding a new chapter in bilateral relations marked by 19 agreements and several pivotal announcements.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation of 23 leading German CEOs, Chancellor Merz's two-day sojourn underscores Germany's prioritization of India as a cornerstone strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 75th year of diplomatic ties in 2026.

Ceremonial Welcome and High-Level Engagements

Prime Minister Modi extended a warm reception to Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad, where the leaders paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Sabarmati Ashram and participated in the vibrant Kite Festival. They addressed the India-Germany CEOs Forum to bolster business synergies and held restricted and delegation-level talks, reaffirming shared democratic values, a rules-based international order, and mutual respect.

Chancellor Merz is scheduled to visit Bengaluru for focused discussions on technological and industrial collaboration.

Defence and Security Advancements

The leaders recommitted to robust defence cooperation, applauding the High Defence Committee’s November 2025 outcomes, including institutionalized staff talks and service chiefs' visits. They endorsed joint exercises, training, and naval port calls, alongside Germany's participation in India's MILAN naval exercise, the 9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in February 2026, and Air Combat Exercise TARANG SHAKTI in September 2026.

A Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to craft a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, fostering co-development and co-production, with progress on submarine projects, helicopter obstacle avoidance, and counter-unmanned aerial systems.

Notable initiatives include a Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue, Germany's Liaison Officer deployment to the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, and collaborations like DRDO-OCCAR on the Eurodrone MALE UAV.

Both unequivocally condemned terrorism, including attacks in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, and Delhi on November 10, 2025, pledging enhanced counter-terrorism efforts under the Joint Working Group.

Economic and Trade Momentum

Bilateral trade in goods and services exceeded USD 50 billion in 2024—over 25% of India's EU trade—with sustained growth into 2025. Leaders urged expanded investments in SMEs, startups, AI, and innovation, inviting German firms to leverage India's economic surge and skilled workforce.

A Joint Declaration established a CEOs’ Forum within the India-Germany Economic Committee, while support for an India-EU Free Trade Agreement was reiterated ahead of the EU-India Summit.

Critical Technologies and Innovation

Nineteen documents spanned defence, trade, semiconductors, critical minerals, telecommunications, traditional medicine, renewable energy, science, education, skilling, and cultural ties. Key pacts include a Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership, Critical Minerals cooperation, a National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology-Infineon MoU, an All India Institute of Ayurveda-Charité University agreement, and extensions for the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre.

The Indo-German Roadmap on Higher Education and Global Skills Partnerships for healthcare professionals were also formalized.

Green Energy and Sustainable Development

Under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, Germany committed EUR 1.24 billion anew for renewables, green hydrogen, PM e-Bus Sewa, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Highlights encompass a Green Ammonia offtake between AM Green and Uniper, a PNGRB-DVGW MoU, battery storage working groups, and scaled triangular projects in Ghana, Cameroon, and Malawi. Visa-free transit for Indians through Germany was announced, alongside new dialogues on Indo-Pacific strategy and digital advancements (2025-2027).

Broader Global and Cultural Horizons

The leaders championed a free Indo-Pacific, UNCLOS adherence, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. They addressed UN Security Council reforms, the Ukraine conflict, Gaza via UNSC Resolution 2803, climate action under the Paris Agreement, and health challenges.

Cultural MoUs covered maritime heritage at Lothal, sports, postal services, youth hockey, and a new Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad, with the next Inter-Governmental Consultations slated for Germany later in 2026. This visit solidifies a multifaceted partnership poised for transformative impact.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar