Ahmedabad (Gujarat), January 12 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday invited German universities to establish campuses in India as part of a comprehensive roadmap on higher education cooperation unveiled during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to the country.
Addressing a joint press conference with Chancellor Merz, the Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for Germany’s announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens, describing the move as a step that would further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.
“The comprehensive roadmap on higher education that we have developed today will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on global and regional issues, including the situations in Ukraine and Gaza. He noted that both countries are united in their view that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity and reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating it.
“India has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and disputes and supports all initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. We are united in our belief that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity as a whole. India and Germany remain committed to combating this menace together, with unwavering determination,” he said.
Modi also underscored the need to reform global institutions to better address contemporary challenges, highlighting joint efforts by India and Germany through the G4 grouping to reform the United Nations Security Council.
“The Memorandums of Understanding being signed today will provide fresh momentum and strength to our collaboration across all these areas. India and Germany agree that reforming global institutions is crucial for addressing global challenges. Our joint efforts through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council are a testament to this shared belief,” he added.
Highlighting cooperation in climate and energy, the Prime Minister said India and Germany are advancing new projects in climate action, energy, urban development, and urban mobility. He noted that upcoming green hydrogen mega projects involving companies from both countries could be game changers for the future of energy.
“India and Germany are committed to developing a secure, trustworthy, and resilient supply chain,” Modi said.
On technology, defense, and security cooperation, the Prime Minister said ties between the two countries have strengthened year after year. He thanked Chancellor Merz for simplifying processes related to defense trade and said both sides would work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between their defense industries, opening new avenues for co-development and co-production.
“Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share similar priorities in the field of renewable energy. The growing cooperation in defense and security is a symbol of our mutual trust and shared vision,” Modi said.
He also emphasized people-to-people ties, recalling historical connections between the two countries and citing figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Madam Bhikaji Cama as symbols of long-standing cultural and intellectual exchanges.
“Today, we are transforming this historical connection into a modern partnership,” he said.
Chancellor Merz’s visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Germany diplomatic relations and the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The two-day visit, from January 12 to January 13, aims to further deepen cooperation across key sectors and build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions.
On January 13, Chancellor Merz is scheduled to visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) before departing for Germany.
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