What happened:
On January 12, 2026, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was received in Ahmedabad by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and held bilateral talks with PM Modi. The visit coincides with 75 years of India–Germany diplomatic relations and 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, during which both leaders will review progress and discuss expanding cooperation across trade, technology, defence, innovation, green development, and people-to-people ties.
Why it matters to India:
The visit reinforces India–Germany strategic engagement at a time of deepening India–EU relations and growing global geopolitical shifts. It strengthens India’s economic, technological, and security partnerships with a key European power, supports India’s role in shaping green and innovation-led global cooperation, and builds momentum ahead of the upcoming India–EU Summit.