German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded his two-day India visit after high-level talks with PM Narendra Modi in Gujarat. The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, space, technology, trade and climate action
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel (left) bids farewell to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Ahmedabad Airport. Pic/PTI
After his two-day visit to India, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday left for Germany. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, and other dignitaries saw him off at Ahmedabad Airport, news agency IANS reported.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz held delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar.
During the meet and greet, both the leaders agreed to take the relationship between the two nations to a qualitatively higher level, with deeper cooperation in defence, space and other critical and emerging technologies, IANS reported.
Chancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs. Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world. Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, several German… pic.twitter.com/aJbZHMc2jp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026
Following their talks, PM Modi wrote on his social media handle X, "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 first visit in Asia. This reflects his personal commitment to strong India-Germany relations," he added.
The Prime Minister further said that the German Chancellor’s two-day visit to India would help take bilateral relations to the next level.
"We agreed to take our relationship to a qualitatively higher level, with deeper cooperation in defence, space and other critical and emerging technologies. Our discussions also covered joint efforts on climate action, trusted and resilient supply chains, skilling, education, sports and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties,” the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz take part in International Kite Festival
PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz on Monday also participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, witnessing the colour, energy and cultural vibrancy of the annual event.
Both PM Modi and Merz later joined the celebrations by flying kites, fully immersing themselves in the festivities.
The two leaders also interacted with German and Indian CEOs. PM Modi and Merz also welcomed the sustained growth in bilateral trade and investment and noted that bilateral trade reached a record high in 2024, with the positive trend continuing through 2025.
India-Germany bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed USD 50 billion in 2024, amounting to over 25 per cent of India’s trade with the EU.
(With inputs from IANS)
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