Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and Germany have agreed to elevate their economic relationship to a new level, with deeper cooperation across defence, space and critical technologies. Addressing the India–Germany CEOs Forum alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, PM Modi said Berlin views New Delhi as a trusted and central partner in its global diversification strategy.
Modi noted that Chancellor Merz chose India as his first destination in Asia, calling it a strong signal of Germany’s confidence in India. “This reflects India’s growing importance in Germany’s diversification plans and the trust Germany places in India,” the Prime Minister said.
Merz, who is on a two-day visit to India, met PM Modi in Ahmedabad. This marks his first official visit to the country since assuming office last May. The German leader is accompanied by a 25-member delegation, including senior executives from leading companies.
At a joint press briefing, PM Modi said both countries have decided to make their economic engagement “limitless”, moving beyond conventional areas of cooperation. He added that trusted bilateral ties would now evolve into technology-led partnerships.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India and Germany are already collaborating in semiconductors and see strong opportunities in power electronics, biotechnology, fintech, pharmaceuticals, quantum computing and cybersecurity. He also pointed to India’s economic resilience, noting that the country continues to grow at over 8 per cent despite global uncertainties, supported by reforms in defence, space, mining and nuclear energy.
Chancellor Merz said India and Germany are well positioned to deepen cooperation in a rapidly changing global environment. He described both nations as innovation-driven economies with complementary strengths in research, engineering, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
Merz stressed the importance of building resilience through partnerships with trusted countries and reducing one-sided dependencies. He reiterated Germany’s support for a comprehensive and economically meaningful EU–India Free Trade Agreement, calling it a key pillar of future economic engagement.
Highlighting the broader geopolitical context, Merz said shifting global dynamics present both risks and opportunities. He underlined Germany’s commitment to openness, fair competition and diversified partnerships, adding that “the full economic potential of the India–Germany partnership is yet to be realised.”
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