What Did German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Achieve During His Visit to India?
Chancellor Merz Concludes His Visit to India
Gandhinagar: After a two-day visit to India, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz departed for his home country on Tuesday.
He was seen off at Ahmedabad Airport by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, and other officials.
On Monday, Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in delegation-level discussions at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar, where they committed to elevating the bilateral relationship to a new level, focusing on enhanced cooperation in defense, space, and other vital technologies.
Following their meeting, PM Modi shared on X, "Hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad was a pleasure. His visit has revitalized India-Germany relations as we celebrate 25 years of our Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic ties. It is an honor that he chose India for his first visit in Asia, showcasing his dedication to strengthening our relationship."
"We agreed to elevate our partnership, emphasizing deeper collaboration in defense, space, and other critical technologies. Our discussions also included joint initiatives on climate action, resilient supply chains, education, sports, and cultural exchanges," he added.
Both leaders participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and cultural richness of the event. They even joined in the festivities by flying kites.
PM Modi highlighted the record levels of bilateral trade between India and Germany during their interactions with CEOs from both nations.
"Chancellor Merz and I met with Indian and German CEOs. The collaboration between our countries is crucial for global progress. Our growing trade and investment ties have injected new energy into our partnership, with bilateral trade reaching unprecedented levels and numerous German companies investing in India. We aim to further strengthen these economic connections in the future," PM Modi posted on X.
On Monday, India and Germany formalized multiple agreements across various sectors, including trade, technology, health, and renewable energy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 19 agreements were finalized, along with several policy announcements aimed at enhancing cooperation in strategic, economic, and cultural areas.
Both leaders acknowledged the consistent growth in bilateral trade and investment, noting that trade reached a record high in 2024, with positive trends continuing into 2025.
In 2024, the trade in goods and services between India and Germany exceeded $50 billion, accounting for over 25% of India's trade with the EU.
An official statement indicated that the leaders welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent to bolster economic cooperation through the German-Indian CEO Forum, which will further enhance business collaboration, supported by the longstanding presence of German firms in India and Indian companies in Germany.
They also recognized advancements in cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, critical minerals, digitalization, telecommunications, health, and bioeconomy, which reinforce the Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap.
The leaders expressed a strong commitment to establishing an institutional dialogue across the semiconductor value chain through a new Joint Declaration of Intent on Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership.
They emphasized the importance of enhanced institutional research and industrial collaboration between the semiconductor sectors of India and Germany. PM Modi welcomed the establishment of the Global Capability Centre (GCC) by German technology firm Infineon in GIFT City last March.