PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz fly a kite during the International Kite Festival at Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad
As PM Modi hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for bilateral talks in Ahmedabad, the two countries agreed to significantly boost their defence, trade and critical and emerging technology ties with the formalisation of 19 agreements. There were eight other announcements meant to ramp up cooperation in areas ranging from people-to-people contact to Indo-Pacific and green development, including visa-free transit for Indian passport-holders through Germany. Amongst the highlights was a joint declaration of intent on strengthening bilateral defence industrial cooperation with Modi saying both sides will also work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between their defence industries, opening new opportunities for co-development and co-production. “The growing cooperation in defence and security is a symbol of our mutual trust and shared vision. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Chancellor Merz for simplifying processes related to defence trade,” said Modi. Four pacts were inked to boost cooperation in critical and emerging tech, including semiconductors and critical minerals. PM Modi, Merz jointly condemn Delhi, Pahalgam terror attacksIndia and Germany are working together to build secure, trusted, and resilient supply chains. MoUs being signed today on all these areas will give new momentum and strength to our cooperation, said PM Modi. The PM and Merz discussed a range of global and regional issues. “The two reiterated their concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine, which continues to cause immense human suffering and negative global consequences. They expressed support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law and principles of UN Charter,” said a joint statement. On Gaza, both backed a two-state solution while underlining the need for unhindered and at scale delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave as well as unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations. “They reaffirmed their readiness to support efforts towards just and durable peace and reiterated their call for a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of conflict in West Asia in the form of a negotiated two-state solution,” said the statement. Agreeing that terrorism is aserious threat to all humanity, both said India and Germany will continue to fight the menace together. They unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. “They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, and the terror incident in Delhi on Nov 10, 2025,” said the joint statement. The PM also announced the launch of a consultation mechanism to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, saying both sides will continue to work together to support development in the Global South. “The strength of our friendship is visible on the global stage. Our trilateral development partnership, through joint projects in countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and Malawi, is a successful model for the world,” he said. Reaffirming their strong support to India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the two emphasised its transformational potential in reshaping and promoting global commerce, connectivity and prosperity. “In this context, they look forward to the first IMEC ministerial meeting to take concrete steps for advancing this initiative,” said the statement.
