Last Updated on January 12, 2026 5:29 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Staff Reporter
India and Germany on Monday infused fresh momentum into their strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held comprehensive discussions during the Chancellor’s maiden official visit to India.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Chancellor Merz arrived in Ahmedabad early in the day and was welcomed by the Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat. The German leader is accompanied by a high-level official and business delegation, reflecting the strong emphasis both sides are placing on trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Misri подчеркed that the visit comes at a significant juncture, coinciding with the completion of 25 years of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
One of the major outcomes of the talks was the finalisation of an ambitious roadmap to expand cooperation in the education sector. Prime Minister Modi said the roadmap for higher education would open a new chapter in academic collaboration and extended an invitation to German universities to establish campuses in India.
At a joint press briefing, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Chancellor Merz’s announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens, describing it as a step that would further strengthen people-to-people connections.
Both leaders also addressed the India–Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, where industry leaders explored avenues for deeper economic engagement. Prime Minister Modi noted that bilateral trade has crossed the $50 billion mark for the first time and highlighted the long-standing presence of more than 2,000 German companies operating in India.
Underscoring expanding cooperation in technology and clean energy, Prime Minister Modi announced that the two countries have agreed to set up an India–Germany Centre of Excellence. The centre will function as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and technological collaboration, with a particular focus on renewable energy.
Several Memoranda of Understanding were signed in the presence of the two leaders. Delegation-level talks were held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The two-day visit is aimed at further deepening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, education, technology, defence, security, science, innovation and sustainable development, reinforcing the long-standing and evolving partnership between India and Germany.