German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India starting Monday marks his first bilateral trip outside NATO and the European Union. German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann described the visit as a “very
strong signal” of the growing importance of India in German foreign policy, said an Indian Express report.
What’s on agenda?
During the visit, Chancellor Merz will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad and visit the Sabarmati Ashram. He was invited to the city by the Prime Minister himself, Ackermann said this invitation to PM Modi’s hometown was a gesture of friendship and warm welcome, which the Chancellor greatly appreciates.
After Ahmedabad, Merz will travel to Bengaluru on January 13. There, he will visit the Indian Institute of Science and the campus of German company Bosch. The Chancellor is accompanied by a large business delegation, including chief executives from 25 German companies, both large and medium-sized.
Ackermann said the visit will cover many issues, including defence, supply chains, technology, education and skilling. Merz, who has been in office for eight months, will compare notes with Prime Minister Modi and look to further strengthen an already solid partnership. World politics is also likely to be part of the discussions amid the shifting geopolitics.
India-Germany trade and business
Business will be a major focus. Germany and India reached a combined trade volume of $50 billion in goods and services last year. Ackermann said this level shows how strongly Germany is engaged in India. More than 2,000 German companies operate in India, while around 750 Indian companies have invested in Germany.
Trade between the two countries is relatively balanced. Germany has a small surplus in goods, while India has a slight surplus in services. Ackermann said trade is expected to grow further, with increasing interest from German companies. On average, two companies a week contact the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce to explore setting up operations in India.
Migration and skilled labour
Migration is another key topic. Germany already has a migration agreement with India, and legal Indian migration has become a success story. Ackermann said Indian workers in Germany earn, on average, 20 per cent more than their German counterparts.
Germany is looking for skilled workers in areas such as caregiving, nursing and craftsmanship. Ackermann said India shows strong willingness and readiness in these fields. The Chancellor will meet students, engineers and people interested in vocational training in Germany.
Education, global issues and defence
Higher education cooperation is also strong, with German universities reporting positive experiences with Indian students. There is growing interest among Indian students in studying in Germany.
Global issues will be discussed as well, including the war in Ukraine and wider international developments. On defence, submarine talks are ongoing but will not be a major part of this visit. However, Germany and India are expected to begin work on a broader roadmap for defence cooperation.
