German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in India

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday arrived in India on his first official visit, beginning a two-day trip aimed at strengthening political, economic and strategic ties between India and Germany. The visit commenced in Ahmedabad, where Merz was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , and began with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram , closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi .

Following the Ashram visit, Modi and Merz proceeded to the Sabarmati Riverfront, where they jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 , one of Gujarat’s signature cultural events held annually ahead of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti). The two leaders flew kites and interacted with women artisans and kite-makers, highlighting the cultural dimension of the German Chancellor’s first official visit to India.

The cultural engagements formed the backdrop to a deepening economic and strategic partnership between the two countries. India–Germany trade has crossed major milestones in recent years, with recent estimates placing bilateral trade at over $50 billion . India’s official fiscal-year data shows merchandise trade with Germany at $29.52 billion in FY2024–25 , with exports worth $10.54 billion and imports at $18.98 billion , indicating a trade deficit for India.

Germany remains among India’s most important European partners, with trade concentrated in high-value sectors such as automobiles , machinery , engineering goods , chemicals , electronics and pharmaceuticals . The partnership is shaped by strong economic complementarity, with India’s expanding manufacturing and infrastructure push increasing demand for advanced industrial imports, an area where German industry remains globally competitive.

India’s nominal GDP is estimated at around $4.5 trillion , with real growth projected at about 6.2% , making it one of the fastest-growing major economies. Germany, Europe’s industrial powerhouse, has a nominal GDP of roughly $5.0 trillion , but growth is projected to remain subdued at around 0.2% , reflecting broader headwinds across advanced economies. Officials said this divergence underscores the scope for deeper industrial collaboration, joint production ecosystems and investment-led cooperation.

Merz’s visit is expected to strengthen high-level political engagement and advance discussions on future-oriented cooperation in trade , investment , technology , clean energy and industrial innovation , as both countries seek to build economic resilience and diversify partnerships in a changing global landscape.