German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Begins Maiden India Visit
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has begun his first official visit to India, marking his maiden bilateral trip outside NATO and the European Union. This visit is seen as a strong indication of Indias growing importance in Germanys foreign policy.
During his two-day itinerary, Chancellor Merz is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad and visit the Sabarmati Ashram, a gesture noted for its warmth. He will also travel to Bengaluru to visit the Indian Institute of Science and the campus of German engineering major Bosch.
The agenda is comprehensive, covering discussions on trade, defence, technology, supply chains, education, and skilling, alongside key geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine. Merz is accompanied by a large business delegation comprising executives from 25 German companies.
Economic ties are a major focus, with India-Germany trade exceeding £50 billion last year, supported by over 2,000 German companies operating in India and 750 Indian firms investing in Germany. Migration and skilled labour cooperation, particularly involving German-speaking Indian professionals in healthcare and skilled trades, will also be prominent. Both sides are expected to begin work on a broader roadmap for defence cooperation.