Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 12 (ANI): 1German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday underscored the need to conclude the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to unlock the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, describing India as a “desired partner” and a “partner of choice” for Germany, as both countries moved to elevate bilateral ties across trade, defence, technology, education and global issues.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar, Chancellor Merz said, “To tap into the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, we need to conclude the negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union.” Emphasising the strategic importance Germany attaches to the partnership, he added that India is a “partner of choice” for Berlin.
Highlighting the changing global landscape, Merz noted that the international order is undergoing significant transformation marked by great-power politics and shifting spheres of influence. Stressing the strategic importance of defence cooperation, he said India and Germany have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration between their defence industries, covering development, production, innovation and the strengthening of global supply chains.
“We want to deepen cooperation of our defence industries and this has strategic significance,” the Chancellor said, adding that both sides aim to take bilateral relations to “an even higher and new level.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the media alongside Merz in Ahmedabad, said India and Germany are united in their resolve to combat terrorism, which he described as the “ultimate and serious threat to humanity.” “India and Germany will come together and continue to fight it resolutely,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi said the two leaders also discussed recent developments in Ukraine and Gaza, reiterating support for peaceful resolution of conflicts. He highlighted the expanding India-Germany partnership across trade, technology, defence and key global issues, noting that bilateral trade has crossed an all-time high of USD 50 billion, with over 2,000 German companies operating in India.
Defence cooperation featured prominently during the talks, with PM Modi stating that growing engagement with Germany aligns with India’s vision and is opening new avenues for defence trade. He also pointed to deeper people-to-people ties through initiatives such as the Global Skills Partnership, new steps in sports cooperation, and the announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens.
Both leaders reaffirmed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, continued engagement with the Global South, and joint efforts under the G4 framework to reform the UN Security Council. Emphasising economic and technological collaboration, PM Modi said the decision to establish an India-Germany Centre of Excellence and launch a new green hydrogen project could be a game-changer, while MoUs signed during the visit are expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the timing of Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India is particularly significant, as it coincides with the silver jubilee of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership (25 years) and the platinum jubilee of diplomatic relations (75 years). He noted that Merz is accompanied by a high-powered official and business delegation, reflecting the importance both sides attach to trade, business and investment ties.
As part of efforts to expand cooperation across sectors, India and Germany finalised a comprehensive roadmap to deepen collaboration in higher education. PM Modi invited German universities to set up campuses in India, calling the roadmap a move that would give “a new direction” to academic partnership. The two leaders also met CEOs from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, where PM Modi said the strong presence of German companies reflects their confidence in India’s growth story.
During his two-day visit from January 12 to 13, Chancellor Merz also attended the International Kite Festival with PM Modi, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram, and is scheduled to visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) before departing for Germany.
The visit is expected to build on sustained high-level political engagement and reaffirm India and Germany’s shared vision for a forward-looking partnership that contributes to regional stability and global prosperity. (ANI)
675 words, 4 minutes read time.
About The Author
