AHMEDABAD, India – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India on Monday for a two-day visit, marking his first official trip to an Asian nation. He was welcomed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders toured the former residence of independence leader Mahatma Gandhi before holding a joint press briefing.
Modi described Germany as India’s most important trading partner in the European Union and said both countries aim to expand economic and security ties. Merz travelled with a large business delegation.
Nineteen agreements were signed during the visit. The most prominent is a joint declaration on defense and industrial cooperation. Germany plans to build six submarines for India’s Navy in India, with technology transfer included, in a deal valued at eight billion euros. Other agreements cover skilled labour migration from India to Germany, collaboration on critical technologies including artificial intelligence, and cooperation in critical minerals to diversify supply chains.
Merz called India “a partner of choice for Germany” and noted that closer cooperation could unlock significant economic potential. The visit also serves as a lead-up to the EU–India summit on January 27, where a long-delayed bilateral trade agreement is expected to be finalised. Analysts say the pact could open India’s growing market to European companies while facilitating technology transfer and defence collaboration for India.
Geopolitical expert Ambika Vishwanath says India is seeking “an equal partnership, not just being seen as a market.” She explained that the collaboration extends beyond politics to research, universities, and think tanks, reflecting both nations’ ambitions to strengthen ties amid shifting global economic and strategic landscapes.
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