Warm welcome for the German Chancellor
India (Commonwealth Union)_ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid his first official visit to India, with a hectic schedule reflecting the two countries’ growing connections. Following initial talks in Ahmedabad, he arrived in Bengaluru, where the emphasis shifted drastically toward technology, industry, and innovation. At the airport, M B Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, received the Chancellor with a traditional sandalwood elephant, showing affection as well as local pride.
Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s technology center, was a suitable stop. The city is home to key operations for several German companies, including Siemens, Bosch, and SAP, as well as a German Consulate and the Max Mueller Bhavan, which fosters cultural exchange. The visit came at a symbolic moment, as India and Germany mark 25 years of strategic partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations, underlining how far the relationship has matured.
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Merz’s stops at cultural centers
The visit blended diplomacy with symbolism. In Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz visited the historic Gandhi Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati River. The two leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and spent time at Hriday Kunj, Gandhi’s modest residence within the Ashram. They also saw the spinning of the charkha, a modest reminder of India’s independence movement and its virtues of self-reliance and simplicity. The stop was more than ceremonial. It represented a mutual respect for democratic ideals and nonviolence, values that both countries frequently emphasize in their international activity.
Inside the International Kite Festival 2026
The first International Kite Festival 2026 that was organized at the Sabarmati Riverfront was one of the primary attractions of the trip. Leaders from both India (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and Germany (Chancellor Friedrich Merz) opened the festival together as a way to promote and celebrate their countries’ relations through kite flying. The pair interacted with female artists who showcased the skill involved in creating kites before each jumped into the fun of flying kites together, causing the crowd watching to smile and cheer for them. The festival attracted kite flyers from around the globe, many of whom were international fans of the Indian kite-flying culture. Furthermore, it provided an excellent opportunity to promote the rich cultural history of the State of Gujarat and showcase its potential for tourism. In recent years, the festival has grown into a significant draw, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and highlighting locations like Dholavira and the Statue of Unity. This year, expectations are even higher, reinforcing Gujarat’s place on the global cultural map.
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India-Germany CEOs Forum
Economic cooperation formed the backbone of the visit. In Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz met business leaders from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum. The discussions reflected the scale and ambition of bilateral trade, which has crossed the 50-billion-dollar mark for the first time. Addressing the media, Prime Minister Modi emphasized German companies’ substantial presence in India, stating that over 2,000 corporations have invested and expanded operations over the years. He cited increased collaboration in technology, notably in renewable energy, innovation, and manufacturing.
A key outcome was the decision to establish an India-Germany Centre of Excellence, designed to act as a shared platform for knowledge exchange, technological development, and joint innovation. The forum also sent a clear signal that German industry increasingly views India not just as a market but as a long-term partner, production base, and innovation hub. The alignment of business interests was reinforced by references to shared priorities in sustainability, clean energy, and future technologies.
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Merz’s Bengaluru visit
The Bosch headquarters at Adugodi and the Nano Science and Engineering Center at the Indian Institute of Science were visited by Chancellor Merz while he was in Bengaluru. The purpose of these visits was to demonstrate how meaningful the partnerships between Germany and India are in terms of supporting innovative ideas and development in each other’s markets. Currently, Bosch has created some impressive innovations focused on hydrogen mobility and software systems that can be used to make artificial intelligence safer and more reliable. The fact that the Chancellor came to take part in the local economy shows how close both economies have become in terms of mobility, innovative manufacturing, and clean technology. Additionally, senior executives have expressed their belief that the chancellor’s visit represents a strong commitment from Germany to India’s continued development as an important part of the global technology community and as a strong partner in the pursuit of sustainable growth.
Bilateral discussions
During their official visits, the two governments held several meetings at ministerial and official levels. These included meetings between Prime Minister Modi and several key members of India’s Government, including India’s Minister of External Affairs, India’s National Security Adviser, India’s Foreign Secretary, etc., to discuss different aspects of bilateral cooperation, including: Trade and Investment, Education and Skill Development, and Military and Other Technologies. Chancellor Merz described India as a vital partner to democracies, an economic engine for the world, and a stabilizing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Both parties stressed shared values and objectives, with a focus on increasing collaboration in security, innovation, and sustainable development. Merz identified three priorities: strengthening the international order through closer security links, increasing economic participation, and deepening collaboration in education and skilled labor. There were also discussions about defense partnerships, including plans to support India’s push for domestic manufacture. The interactions demonstrated a growing trust and desire to collaborate on long-term strategic goals.
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Signing of 27 Declarations of Intent and MoUs
The visit resulted in a broad set of agreements and declarations, covering sectors ranging from defense and security to renewable energy, science, education, skilling, culture, sports, and people-to-people exchanges. These understandings are intended to give structure and momentum to cooperation across traditional and emerging areas, reinforcing the idea that the partnership is both wide-ranging and future-oriented.
EU-India Free Trade Agreement takes center stage
A major political and economic theme of the visit was the long-pending India–European Union Free Trade Agreement. Chancellor Merz made it clear that Germany strongly supports concluding the deal, describing India as a partner of choice for Europe. He stressed that reaching an agreement is crucial to fulfilling the full potential of India-Germany economic cooperation. The timing of the visit added weight to this message, given it occurred shortly before an EU-India summit where sections of the agreement are expected to be finalized. In the context of changing global trade dynamics, both sides regard the FTA as a vehicle for improving supply chains, increasing investment, and reducing strategic reliance on volatile markets.
Discussion on Baby Ariha Shah case
During media interactions, India also raised humanitarian concerns, including the case of Ariha Shah, an Indian child who has been in German foster care for four years. Indian officials reiterated that they remain in regular contact with German authorities and are approaching the issue with sensitivity and a focus on the child’s welfare. While no breakthrough was announced, the matter remains part of ongoing diplomatic engagement.
India-Germany relations
The visit highlighted the steady expansion of India-Germany relations over the decades. Germany remains India’s most important economic partner in the European Union, with strong trade volumes and sustained investment. Indian companies are also increasing their presence in Germany, reflecting a two-way flow of capital, talent, and ideas. As the two countries prepare to mark major diplomatic milestones, both sides expressed confidence that cooperation will deepen further, especially in future technologies, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Concluding the visit
Chancellor Friedrich Merz successfully concluded his two-day visit to India after a series of high-profile political, economic, and cultural engagements. Prime Minister Modi described the visit as a reflection of the growing strength and maturity of India-Germany ties. From boardrooms to cultural landmarks, the visit conveyed a clear message: the partnership is no longer limited to trade alone but is evolving into a comprehensive strategic relationship shaped by shared values, mutual trust, and long-term vision.
