Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz visit to India Beyond Borders

New Delhi |Jan 18, 2026 | BeyondborBersbyJwala

In a landmark visit that redefines the contours of the India-Germany relationship, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded his two-day official tour of India on January 13, 2026. This visit, his first to Asia since assuming office, marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and sets the stage for the 75th year of diplomatic relations in 2026.

The summit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has delivered a comprehensive upgrade to bilateral ties, moving beyond traditional trade engagement to deep strategic alignment in defence, green energy, and critical technologies.

Defence: A Strategic Pivot to Europe

In a significant departure from past hesitancy, Berlin and New Delhi have unlocked high-level defence collaboration. The Joint Statement highlights "ongoing cooperation" between India’s DRDO and Europe’s OCCAR for the Eurodrone MALE UAV programme. This move allows India to access advanced European military drone technology, diversifying its unmanned aerial capabilities.

The leaders also announced a dense calendar of military engagements:
  • Naval & Air Exercises: Germany confirmed participation in the MILAN Naval Exercise and the TARANG SHAKTI Air Combat Exercise in 2026.
  • Strategic Reach: Germany will deploy a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, signaling a shared commitment to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Industrial Roadmap: A Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to create a "Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap," focusing on co-development and co-production of hardware, including submarines and counter-drone systems (C-UAS).

Uncompromising Stance on Terror

The leaders issued a blistering condemnation of terrorism, specifically citing two recent attacks on Indian soil. The statement "condemned in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir (April 22, 2025) and the terror incident in Delhi (November 10, 2025). Both sides called for concerted action against UN-listed terrorist entities and emphasized the need to dismantle terror safe havens and financing networks.

Economy: Breaking the $50 Billion Barrier

Bilateral trade has surged past $50 billion in 2024, now accounting for over 25% of India’s total trade with the EU. To sustain this momentum, Chancellor Merz and PM Modi addressed the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, pushing for the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.

Key economic outcomes include:

  • Semiconductors: A new declaration on "Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership" to link Indian and German research and manufacturing. The leaders welcomed Infineon’s opening of a Global Capability Centre in GIFT City.

  • Critical Minerals: A pact to collaborate on exploration, processing, and recycling to secure supply chains for the green transition.

Green Energy: The Hydrogen Bridge

The summit solidified the "Green and Sustainable Development Partnership" (GSDP), with Germany’s €10 billion commitment (until 2030) already seeing €5 billion earmarked for projects like the National Green Hydrogen Mission and metro rail expansions in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Bangalore.

A headline commercial success was the signing of a massive offtake agreement between AM Green and Uniper Global Commodities. This deal will see the supply of Indian-produced Green Ammonia to Europe, positioning India as a key exporter in the global clean energy market.

Global Geopolitics: Alignment on Gaza and Ukraine

The leaders displayed convergence on critical global issues:

  • Gaza: Both welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (November 17, 2025) as a step toward ending the conflict, while endorsing the Gaza Peace Plan and calling for a two-state solution.
  • Ukraine: They reiterated concerns over the war in Ukraine, advocating for a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" aligned with the UN Charter.
  • Indo-Pacific: Reaffirming support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the leaders announced a new bilateral consultation mechanism for the region.

Mobility: Visa-Free Transit for Indians

In a major boost for people-to-people ties, Chancellor Merz announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders passing through Germany. This move is expected to significantly ease travel for Indian nationals. Additionally, both sides committed to fully implementing the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) to facilitate the movement of students and skilled professionals while combating irregular migration.

The leaders agreed that the next Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) will be held in Germany later in 2026.