German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday underscored the urgency of concluding the long-pending India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, calling it critical to unlocking the full potential of India–Germany economic ties. Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar, Merz described India as a “desired partner” and a “partner of choice” for Germany, reflecting Berlin’s growing strategic and economic confidence in New Delhi.
“To fully tap the potential of India–Germany relations, we must conclude the negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union,” Merz said, signalling Germany’s push to accelerate stalled trade talks. He emphasised that India occupies a central place in Germany’s long-term economic and geopolitical calculations.
Placing the bilateral partnership in a wider global context, the German Chancellor said the international order is undergoing profound change, shaped increasingly by great-power rivalry and competing spheres of influence. Against this backdrop, he highlighted the strategic importance of defence cooperation between India and Germany, noting that both countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration in defence industry development, production, innovation and the strengthening of global supply chains.
“The world order is changing as we meet here. We are facing rough winds,” Merz said, adding that closer defence-industrial cooperation carries clear strategic significance for both sides.
Merz also stated that India and Germany are keen to take their relationship to a higher plane. “We want to elevate relations between India and Germany to an even higher and new level,” he said, pointing to expanding cooperation across economic, strategic and technological domains.
Thanking Prime Minister Modi for inviting him to Gujarat, Merz described the gesture as a reflection of the depth of bilateral ties. “It is a sign of very deep relations between our two countries and also a testament of friendship,” he said.
The German Chancellor’s remarks came during his first official visit to India since assuming office, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership. Merz is on a two-day visit from January 12 to 13, during which he is also scheduled to visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), as both countries seek to build momentum for a forward-looking partnership with global relevance.
