Overview
- Merz and Modi set out a broader strategic partnership across trade, technology and defense, with officials reporting 27 agreements including 19 intent declarations and eight concrete announcements.
- The chancellor urged a rapid finish to the long‑running EU‑India free trade pact, expressing hope for a signature at the January 27 summit in New Delhi.
- Defense cooperation will expand through joint air and naval exercises and closer industry links, while a six‑submarine project in Mumbai with TKMS worth about €8 billion remains under negotiation.
- Merz framed the moves as steps to diversify supply chains and to reduce India’s reliance on Russian military equipment and energy.
- Bilateral commerce has reached a record near $50 billion, and Germany highlighted growing people‑to‑people ties with roughly 170,000 Indian workers and about 60,000 Indian students in the country.