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Germany's Merz Visits India, Eyes Trade Deal & Defence Ties as Partnership Deepens

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to India emphasized Berlin's view of New Delhi as a central partner in trade, technology, and security. The visit, which included a high-powered business delegation, focused on concluding the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement and boosting defence-industrial cooperation, including a submarine project. Nineteen new agreements were signed across clean energy, digital innovation, and skilling initiatives. The partnership was further bolstered by Germany's decision to allow visa-free transit for Indian passport holders.

Key Points: Germany-India Strengthen Trade, Defence Ties on Merz Visit

  • Push for India-EU trade deal conclusion
  • Defence co-development & submarine project
  • Record-high bilateral trade with Germany
  • 19 MoUs on green energy & tech
  • Visa-free transit for Indians via Germany
3 min read

Germany sees India as key partner in trade, defence

Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits India, pushing for EU trade deal & defence cooperation. Talks with PM Modi focus on tech, green energy, and submarines.

Germany sees India as key partner in trade, defence
"Germany now sees New Delhi as a central partner for trade, technology and security - India Narrative"

New Delhi, Jan 14

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has used his first official visit to India to signal that Berlin now sees New Delhi as a central partner for trade, technology and security in an increasingly fractured world order. Spread over two days in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, the visit combined high symbolism with a dense agenda on defence, green transition, mobility and a long‑pending India-EU trade deal, according to an article in India Narrative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Merz in Ahmedabad, where the programme blended political signalling with cultural outreach. Bilateral talks and press statements at Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir provided the formal backdrop for announcements on trade, defence and technology.

The article highlights that economics was the central pillar of the visit, with Merz accompanied by a high‑powered delegation of 23 German CEOs and industry leaders. Both leaders noted that Germany already accounts for over a quarter of India's trade with the EU and that bilateral trade has hit record highs since 2024, strengthening the case for a more ambitious agenda.

Merz sent a clear signal of the political backing the long‑pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement, as he observed that the deal could be concluded by the end of January. New Delhi and Berlin also welcomed a new Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen economic cooperation through a German‑Indian CEO Forum, pitched as a permanent channel to deepen investment, technology partnerships and resilient supply chains.

Security and defence industry cooperation received unusually prominent attention for a German leader's India visit. Modi and Merz backed expanded military‑to‑military engagement through joint exercises and senior‑level exchanges, and endorsed a new roadmap for defence‑industrial cooperation focused on long‑term technology partnerships and co‑development of equipment in India, the article states.

The two countries held discussions on a multi‑billion‑euro project to jointly build submarines in India, aligning Germany's defence export push with India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat priorities. Beyond defence, the two sides signed or exchanged 19 MoUs and eight major announcements across clean energy, digital technology and innovation, framed as tools to advance green and sustainable development.

People‑centric measures were another notable highlight, with India publicly welcoming Germany's decision to allow visa‑free transit for Indian passport holders, expected to ease travel and business connectivity via German hubs. New agreements on higher education, skilling, renewable‑energy training, sports cooperation, maritime heritage and youth exchanges were showcased as investments in the next generation of the partnership, the article added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The visa-free transit is a small but very welcome step. As someone who travels to Europe for work, the long immigration queues at Frankfurt were a real hassle. Hope other EU nations follow suit. The focus on green energy partnerships is also crucial.
V
Vikram M
While the announcements are impressive, I'll believe it when I see it. The India-EU trade deal has been "pending" for over a decade. Merz says it could be done by end of Jan, but let's wait and watch. Our negotiators must ensure it's truly beneficial for our farmers and MSMEs.
P
Priya S
The youth exchange and higher education MoUs are the real win here. Sending our students to Germany for skills in renewable energy and tech will build a knowledge base for the future. More than submarines, we need to build human capital.
R
Rohit P
Germany accounts for 25% of our EU trade already! This partnership can be a game-changer, especially for our manufacturing sector. Hope the German CEOs who came actually invest in setting up plants here, not just selling to us.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see Germany's strategic pivot. With global tensions rising, diversifying partnerships away from over-reliance on China makes sense for Berlin. India offers a stable, democratic alternative with a massive market. A pragmatic move.

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