Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, emphasised the importance of close economic cooperation between India and Germany, stating that such collaboration is vital not only for the two nations but for the humanity as a whole. Addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the latter’s official visit to India, PM Modi highlighted the deep historical and philosophical ties between the two countries and noted that the German Chancellor’s visit coincided with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
“It is a happy coincidence that Swami Vivekananda himself built the bridge of philosophy, knowledge and faith between India and Germany. Today, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit is providing new energy, new confidence and new dimensions to that very bridge”, the Prime Minister said. PM Modi noted that this marks Chancellor Merz’s first visit to India and to Asia since assuming office, calling it a strong reflection of the importance the German leader attaches to relations with India. He also expressed gratitude for Merz’s “personal attention and commitment” to strengthening bilateral ties.
Today's discussions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz will further energise the India-Germany partnership!@bundeskanzler@_FriedrichMerz pic.twitter.com/9QCGfVWGu3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026
The Prime Minister further noted the timing of the visit, stating that the German Chancellor’s visit comes at a significant moment in India-Germany relations, as both nations have marked 25 years of Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations. “This is his first visit to India and indeed to Asia, as Chancellor. This is strong evidence of the importance he attaches to relations with India. I express my sincere gratitude to him for his personal attention and commitment”, the Prime Minister said.
“Chancellor Merz’s visit is taking place at a special time. Last year, we celebrated 25 years of our strategic partnership, and this year we are also marking 75 years of our diplomatic relations. These milestones are not merely chronological achievements; they are symbols of our shared ambitions, mutual trust and ever-strengthening cooperation”, he added. Highlighting economic ties, PM Modi underscored the deepening bilateral engagement, noting that bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, surpassing USD 50 billion, and that over 2,000 German companies have long-standing presences in India.
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
“Close cooperation between the economies of countries like India and Germany is important for all of humanity. Growing trade and investment ties have injected new energy into our strategic partnership”, PM Modi said. “This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the infinite possibilities available here”, he added. The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently on a two-day official visit to India, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany’s shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community.
The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE and depart for Germany. Prior to the joint press conference, PM Modi and Merz held delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany as the leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility and explored collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research and sustainable development.
Strengthening partnership in education, clean energy and business domain
In line with the focus on expanding cooperation across sectors, India and Germany also finalised a comprehensive roadmap to deepen cooperation in the education sector. In his media statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today’s comprehensive roadmap on higher education will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education”, underlining the importance both sides are placing on academic collaboration. Building on the roadmap, PM Modi invited German universities to set up campuses in India during Merz’s official visit.
At a joint press conference with Merz, PM Modi thanked the German Chancellor for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, describing it as a move that would further strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries. “The comprehensive roadmap on higher education that we have developed today will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens”, PM Modi said.
List of outcomes (27 in total) : Official visit of @Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz of Germany to India ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ihj3GKbiUW
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 12, 2026
PM Modi and Merz also met Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Addressing a joint press conference following the meeting, PM Modi said, “Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the 50 billion dollar mark. More than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here. This was vividly demonstrated this morning at the India-Germany CEO Forum”.
He further noted that cooperation in technology has grown steadily and is increasingly visible through on-ground outcomes. PM Modi said India and Germany also share common priorities in renewable energy, adding that both sides have decided to set up the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. “Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy. To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation”, he said.
Push to India-EU Free Trade Agreement
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that concluding the negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union is essential to unlocking the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, while describing India as a “desired partner” and a “partner of choice” for Berlin. Chancellor Merz said, “To tap into the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, we need to conclude the negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union”.
Highlighting the importance Germany attaches to its partnership with India, Merz said, “India is a desired partner, a partner of choice for Germany”, underlining the strategic and economic significance of bilateral ties.
The visit of the German Chancellor will also act as a propellant and lead up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27.
Feuling defence cooperation
Addressing global developments, the German Chancellor said the international order is undergoing significant change and noted the strategic importance of defence cooperation between the two countries.
He further noted that both sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in defence industry development, production, innovation and strengthening global supply chains. “The world order is changing as we meet here. It is marked by great power politics and thinking of spheres of influence. We have to brace ourselves against the rough winds”, the Chancellor said.
“We want to deepen cooperation of our defence industries and this has strategic significance. We signed an MoU on closer cooperation between our defence industries on the development, production and promotion of innovation and the strengthening of global supply chains”, he added. During the joint press conference, the German Chancellor said both countries aim to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
“We want to elevate the relations between India and Germany to an even higher and new level”, Merz said.
Car pooling to kite festival: New Delhi-Berlin ties soaring high
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, shared a car ride following their engagements in Gujarat, reflecting the warm and friendly ties between the two leaders and the growing partnership between the two countries. PM Modi posted a photo on X of himself and Merz inside the car after their meetings to underscore the strength of bilateral relations. “The friendship between India and Germany continues to grow through shared values, extensive cooperation and mutual understanding”, the Prime Minister said in his post. The shared car ride and PM Modi’s remarks on social media were seen as symbolising the personal rapport between the two leaders and the deepening ties between India and Germany.
Earlier today, PM Modi and the German chancellor rode in an open vehicle along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and also tried their hands at flying kites that depicted the portrait of God Hanuman. PM Modi had inaugurated the International Kite Festival-2026, organised by the Gujarat government. With Makar Sankranti just a few days away, the International Kite Festival will run for three days, concluding on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. Alongside them, 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat will also take part in the event.
Der Himmel über Ahmedabad ist während des Internationalen Drachenfestivals voller Farben und Lebendigkeit.
Ich freue mich, dass ich Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz diesen ganz besonderen Anlass zeigen konnte. Es hat mich auch sehr gefreut, dass er sich im Drachensteigen versucht… pic.twitter.com/HbKjH4oCQH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026
Countering terrorism and reforming global institutions
PM Modi also said that the two leaders also held wide-ranging discussions on global and regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, adding that both countries are united in their view that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity and remain committed to combating it together. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to reform global institutions to address global challenges, citing joint efforts by India and Germany through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council.
“India has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and disputes and supports all initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. We are united in our belief that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity as a whole. India and Germany remain committed to combating this menace together, with unwavering determination”, he said. “The Memorandums of Understanding being signed today will provide fresh momentum and strength to our collaboration across all these areas. India and Germany agree that reforming global institutions is crucial for addressing global challenges. Our joint efforts through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council are a testament to this shared belief”, PM Modi added.
(With Inputs from ANI)
