German Chancellor Merz arrives in India to hold talks with PM Modi
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Gujarat on Monday for an official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This is Merz’s first official visit to India and is aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany.
The German Chancellor was received at the Ahmedabad airport by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat.
Welcoming Merz, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on social media platform X, “India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz’s visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi later today will further strengthen the India-Germany partnership.”
Merz is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Modi in Ahmedabad, following which both leaders will participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
This will be followed by bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
In its statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders will review progress in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently completed 25 years. Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also advancing collaboration in defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.
The leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues and interact with business and industry leaders from both countries.
Ahead of Chancellor Merz’s visit, German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh last week to discuss bilateral security and defence cooperation, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment.
“German Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann called on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh today. The Ambassador conveyed New Year greetings on behalf of the German side. They also discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment,” the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, said in a post on X.
In November last year, Prime Minister Modi met Chancellor Merz on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa. PM Modi described India-Germany relations as strong and expanding across key sectors, including trade, technology and innovation.
