What happened?
On September 3, 2025 EAM S. Jaishankar held delegation-level talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during his two-day official visit to India. Jaishankar urged Germany’s support in expediting the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the European Union. The meeting also highlighted the depth of India–Germany relations, with both sides marking 25 years of strategic partnership, 50 years of scientific cooperation, and nearly six decades of cultural exchanges. Wadephul’s visit, which included engagements in Bengaluru focused on technology collaboration, marked his first to India since the formation of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government earlier this year. In addition, Wadephul met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for talks on strengthening trade, investment, and innovation ties.
Why it matters to India
The meeting reaffirmed India’s push to finalise the long-pending FTA with the EU by the end of 2025, which holds the potential to boost trade, open new markets, and enhance India’s role in global supply chains. Beyond trade, the visit underlines the importance of Indo-German cooperation in technology, green energy, and multilateral forums, further deepening a partnership that is central to India’s engagement with Europe.