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PoliticsIndia

Friedrich Merz and Narendra Modi talk Germany-India ties

January 12, 2026

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on a two-day visit. Merz is traveling with a large business delegation as Germany seeks to deepen economic and security ties.

https://p.dw.com/p/56i03

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits India to strengthen economic and strategic ties, starting with symbolic stops at Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram and a kite festival. Both sides signed agreements on defense, minerals, health care recruitment and green energy. Germany hopes to curb India's reliance on Russian arms with an €8 billion submarine deal. Merz also pushed for progress on a long-delayed EU‑India free trade pact.