'We Agreed To Take Ties To New Level': PM Modi Pledges Deeper Cooperation With Germany

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Germany have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a higher level and pledged deeper cooperation in defence, space, and other critical technologies following German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s maiden visit to India on Monday.

Merz arrived in India for a two-day trip, which is also his first visit to Asia as the German Chancellor. The two leaders paid floral tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram, and participated in the famous Kite Festival, before addressing the India-Germany CEOs Forum on Monday.

“It was a pleasure hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. His visit has infused new momentum into India–Germany ties, as we mark 25 years of our Strategic Partnership

and 75 years of diplomatic relations. India is honoured that he has chosen our nation as the place of his first visit in Asia. This reflects his personal commitment to strong India-Germany relations,” PM Modi said on X.

The Prime Minister said both sides have agreed to a qualitatively higher level, with deeper cooperation in defence, space and other critical and emerging technologies. “Our discussions also covered joint efforts on climate action, trusted and resilient supply chains, skilling, education, sports and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties,” he added.

It was a pleasure hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. His visit has infused new momentum into India–Germany ties, as we mark 25 years of our Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations. India is honoured that he has chosen our nation as the place of his… pic.twitter.com/at5m1KO5NV

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026

PM Modi and Chancellor Merz also held restricted and delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad, where they reaffirmed the shared democratic values, commitment to a rules-based international order, and mutual respect underpinning the Strategic Partnership, according to a joint statement.

India-Germany Defence Cooperation

As per the official statement, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation. The leaders endorsed the commitment of both sides to deepen military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training and exchanges of senior officials, and noted with satisfaction regular reciprocal port calls by the Naval ships of both countries.

PM Modi also welcomed Germany’s intention to participate Naval Exercise MILAN, and 9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs in February 2026, Air Combat Exercise TARANG SHAKTI in September 2026, as well as Germany’s decision to deploy a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).

The leaders welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to promote long-term industry-level collaboration, including technology partnerships, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and equipment. The two leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations including cross border terrorism. They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner.

India-EU Trade Agreement

Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the European Union. The two leaders welcomed the sustained growth in bilateral trade and investment and noted that bilateral trade reached a record high, surpassing $50 billion in 2024.

The leaders noted the strong two-way investments between India and Germany and the positive impacts of such investments in diversifying global supply chains. PM Modi and Chancellor Merz reiterated their support for the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement as a key outcome of the upcoming EU-India Summit, which will facilitate trade flows and inject further momentum into German-Indian economic relations.

The presidents of the European Commission and European Council would travel to India at the end of January to possibly finalise an India-EU trade agreement.