German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded his two-day visit to Gujarat on Tuesday, leaving for Bengaluru after high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was seen off at Ahmedabad Airport by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, and other dignitaries.
During delegation-level talks at Gandhinagar’s Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre on Monday, the leaders agreed to elevate India-Germany relations to a “qualitatively higher level,” with expanded cooperation in defense, space, semiconductors, critical technologies, and emerging sectors. PM Modi highlighted the visit as a milestone, marking 25 years of the Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations.
The leaders also participated in the International Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront, flying kites together and experiencing the cultural vibrancy of the event. Both interacted with Indian and German CEOs, emphasizing the importance of deepening trade, investment, and industrial collaboration between the two nations.
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A total of 19 agreements were signed across trade, technology, health, and renewable energy sectors. Key areas of cooperation include semiconductors, critical minerals, digitalization, telecommunications, health, and bioeconomy. A new Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen the bilateral semiconductor ecosystem, fostering research and industrial collaboration.
Bilateral trade between India and Germany reached an all-time high in 2024, surpassing $50 billion and accounting for over 25% of India’s trade with the European Union. Both leaders expressed strong intent to further expand economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties, including through the German-Indian CEO Forum and investments by German companies such as Infineon, which recently opened a Global Capability Centre in GIFT City.
The visit underscores India’s growing strategic partnership with Germany, reinforcing mutual commitments to climate action, skill development, innovation, and long-term industrial and technological collaboration. The visit also highlighted India as a key hub for German investments in Asia.
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