Overview
- India’s External Affairs Ministry confirmed the first official visit by Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India, with stops in Ahmedabad on January 12 and Bengaluru on January 13.
- Talks will review 25 years of the Strategic Partnership and prioritize cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, mobility, defence, science and innovation, green development and people-to-people ties.
- Merz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet business and industry leaders and hold discussions under the India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations framework.
- According to sources, the Ahmedabad program is expected to include Sabarmati Ashram, participation in the International Kite Festival, delegation-level talks at Mahatma Mandir and a likely visit to GIFT City.
- Defence collaboration is set to feature prominently, with reports that Germany has eased export controls on many defence items, while a submarine deal is viewed as unlikely to be concluded during this trip.