India and Germany deepen ties to boost trade, education, and innovation

India and Germany took significant steps to strengthen their strategic partnership on Jan 12, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held extensive talks during the Chancellor’s first official visit to India.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Chancellor Merz arrived in Ahmedabad early on Jan 12 and was welcomed by the Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He is accompanied by a senior official and business delegation, reflecting a strong focus on trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

Misri noted that the visit is especially significant as it marks 25 years of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A key outcome of the visit was the finalization of a comprehensive roadmap to deepen cooperation in higher education.

Prime Minister Modi said, “The roadmap on higher education would give a new direction to bilateral ties in the academic field.” He also extended an invitation to German universities to establish campuses in India.

At a joint press conference, PM Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, describing it as a step that will strengthen people-to-people connections between the two nations.

The leaders also participated in the India–Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, where business leaders from both countries discussed opportunities for closer economic engagement.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that bilateral trade has crossed $50 billion for the first time and noted that more than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India.

Emphasizing collaboration in technology and clean energy, PM Modi said India and Germany will establish an India–Germany Centre of Excellence to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and technological cooperation, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

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 aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, education, technology, defense, security, science, innovation, and sustainable development, building on the long-standing partnership between India and Germany.