Merz begins first state visit to India, eyes trade, defense and strategic ties
The visit signals Germany’s intent to position India as a key economic and geopolitical partner in Asia, at a time when both countries are seeking to strengthen resilient supply chains, expand defense cooperation and accelerate the transition to clean energy and advanced technologies.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in India on his first official state visit since taking office, marking his maiden major trip to Asia and underlining Berlin’s drive to deepen strategic and economic ties with New Delhi.
Merz landed in Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, early Monday and was warmly received by Indian officials. He is accompanied by a large delegation of business leaders, reflecting Germany’s focus on expanding trade, investment and industrial cooperation with one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, DW.COM reports.
The two-day visit comes just weeks ahead of a planned EU-India summit, where a long-awaited free trade agreement is expected to be signed. It also takes place amid shifting global dynamics, with Europe seeking to diversify partnerships in the face of US tariffs, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and an increasingly uncertain relationship with China.
Merz is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions expected to cover trade, investment, technology, education and defense cooperation. The leaders have already met twice in 2025, and this visit is seen as a key step in advancing the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which marked its 25th anniversary last year.
On Monday, Merz and Modi toured the Sabarmati Ashram, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi and a symbol of India’s independence movement. The German chancellor signed the guestbook and viewed the iconic spinning wheel, a powerful emblem of self-reliance. The two leaders also shared a lighter moment at the International Kite Festival along the Sabarmati riverfront, where videos of Modi flying a kite beside Merz circulated widely on social media.
Later, the leaders began closed-door talks with their respective delegations. Modi was joined by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, as both sides explored ways to strengthen political, economic and security ties.
Defense cooperation is expected to feature prominently, with Germany and India reportedly close to finalizing an €8 billion deal to jointly build submarines in India. The agreement would support India’s defense modernization and localization goals through technology transfer, while also helping Germany expand its footprint in India’s defense market and reduce New Delhi’s reliance on Russian military equipment.
On Tuesday, Merz is due to travel to Bengaluru, India’s technology hub often referred to as the country’s Silicon Valley, where many German companies such as Siemens, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have a strong presence. The stop is expected to highlight cooperation in innovation, digital technology and high-tech manufacturing.
The visit signals Germany’s intent to position India as a key economic and geopolitical partner in Asia, at a time when both countries are seeking to strengthen resilient supply chains, expand defense cooperation and accelerate the transition to clean energy and advanced technologies.
