Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Frédéric Merz met in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Monday to strengthen economic and security ties between India and Germany. They signed several agreements focused on defense, skills development, health and education, aimed at reducing dependence on China.
Modi highlighted that Germany is India’s most important trading partner in the EU and expressed a desire to expand these relations. The two leaders discussed projects in the areas of climate action, energy and rare earths, and agreed on a roadmap for collaboration between their defense industries. “We want to elevate relations between India and Germany to an even higher level,” Modi said.
Germany is working to strengthen its defense ties with India, with Thyssenkrupp partnering with Indian companies to build six advanced conventional submarines as part of India’s naval modernization efforts. Merz highlighted the “enormous economic potential” shared by the two countries and stressed the importance of finalizing a free trade agreement between India and the EU to strengthen economic relations.
During his visit to India – his first to an Asian country since taking office – Merz and Modi participated in the International Kite Festival on the banks of the Sabarmati River. They visited the Sabarmati Ashram, which houses Mahatma Gandhi. An agreement was also signed to facilitate the entry of Indian workers into the German healthcare sector. Merz is expected to travel to Bangalore to meet business and technology leaders.
This article uses information from the Associated Press.
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