Archive · 7 Jan 2026
India-Germany Relations Strengthened During Chancellor Merz's Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India for his first official visit as chancellor.
They will meet in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru to talk about important things like trade, investment, defence, and how to work together better.
They will also meet with business leaders and discuss global issues.
This visit is special because it's the 25th anniversary of a big friendship agreement between India and Germany.
Both leaders want to make this friendship even stronger for the benefit of their countries and the world.
India and the EU are also working on a free trade agreement to make it easier for both countries to trade goods and services.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit India on January 12-13, 2026, for his first official visit as chancellor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Merz in Ahmedabad, with the visit also including a trip to Bengaluru.
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence, security, technology, education, and green development.
The talks will review the progress of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years last year.
Both leaders will meet with business and industry leaders and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- What
- Official visit to strengthen bilateral cooperation
- When
- January 12-13, 2026
- Where
- Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, India
- Why
- To deepen cooperation in trade, investment, defence, security, technology, education, and green development
India's Perspective
Germany's Perspective
Trade and Investment
India's Perspective
India seeks to enhance trade and investment opportunities, particularly in labor-intensive sectors like textiles and gems.
Germany's Perspective
Germany aims to strengthen economic ties and explore new investment avenues in India.
Defence and Security
India's Perspective
India looks to bolster defence and security cooperation with Germany.
Germany's Perspective
Germany seeks to collaborate on defence and security to address mutual concerns.
- Visiting Leader
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Host Leader
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Visit Duration
- Two days
- Visit Dates
- January 12-13, 2026
- Cities Visited
- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru
- Key Areas of Discussion
- Trade, investment, defence, security, technology, education, green development
- Partnership Anniversary
- 25 years of India-Germany Strategic Partnership
- India-EU Trade
- $90.7 billion (2024-25)
- India-EU Exports
- $51.0 billion (2024-25)
- India-EU Imports
- $39.7 billion (2024-25)
Sources
PM Modi To Host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz On His Maiden India Visit Next Week
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit India next week
German chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit India; trade, investment and defence high on agenda
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to make first official visit to India on January 12–13
PM Modi To Host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz On His 1st India Visit
German Chancellor Merz to visit on Jan 12-13, hold talks with PM Modi
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit Bengaluru and Ahmedabad on Jan 12-13. What's on the agenda?
Thirupparankundram Lamp Lighting Row: Madras High Court Upholds Single Judge's Ruling, Allows Lighting of Map on Deepathon
Friedrich Merz’s India visit begins January 12; PM Modi to receive German Chancellor in Ahmedabad
Goyal in Brussels this week to expedite FTA with EU
PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz to visit Sabarmati Ashram, join Kite Festival