German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, two of Europe's most important leaders, are likely to be in India in the coming
months. It will be Merz's first visit to India as Chancellor, having taken over in May this year, and while both countries are actively working towards the visit, the dates are being worked out. Initially, both countries were looking at December but whether it can happen next month, when Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be here, remains to be seen. Germany is, of course, the world's third-largest economy after the United States of America and China, and India is the fourth, and the two countries have a strong economic relationship. Besides, particularly in the wake of difficulties with American visas, the Germans are very keen to have high-quality Indian students in their top universities, whether it is Heidelberg, Goettingen or anywhere else. Again, climate change is an issue, and while there are some disagreements, both countries have been working closely. Now, with India looking at building six German-designed submarines in Mumbai, the relationship can only get stronger in the future. Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are old friends and he's been in India several times, including during the G-20 summit in India two years ago. The Macron visit, for the India-Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit on 19-20 February, is yet to be finalised though serious discussions have already taken place. The French have very strong defence links with India with the Indian Air Force having acquired 36 Rafale fighter jets recently. It is also likely to get another 114 Rafales, though a final decision is yet to be taken. Similarly, Safran will co-produce a jet engine in India. In the past, the French have worked with the Indian navy-- the Mazagon Docks in Mumbai have built six Scorpene submarines. There is considerable civil-nuclear cooperation as well and India remembers French support after India's nuclear blasts in Pokhran in 1998 when much of the Western world disapproved. India and France also work closely as leaders of the International Solar Alliance. Both France and Germany are looking forward to India's Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. It will be a game-changer, both countries believe. Germany, for instance, is India's biggest trade partner in the EU, with bilateral trade at 50 billion Euro. That it is only a sixth of the amount of Sino-German trade suggests that a huge opportunity lies ahead.
