Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a side conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during their participation in the G20 summit in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz headed to India on Sunday for a visit through which he seeks to strengthen economic and security ties between the European Union’s largest economic power and Asia’s most populous country.
Merz’s visit, which begins on Monday and is his first to an Asian country since taking office last May, comes about two weeks before a scheduled summit between the European Union and India, as New Delhi and the bloc work to reach a free trade agreement.
India’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday that “this agreement is not seen as just a trade deal, but a comprehensive partnership that takes into account modern economic reality.”
Business visits to technology companies
During his two-day visit, Merz will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat where Modi was born. The German Chancellor will then head to the southern city of Bengaluru, a hub for major technology companies.
Merz and Modi will attend a traditional kite festival and visit the Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s independence movement, lived for several years.
A German government spokesperson said on Friday that Merz’s choice of India as his first Asian destination as chancellor “demonstrates the importance of India, the world’s largest democracy, as a strategic partner for Germany.”
Submarine deal in the works
The visit could also enhance security ties between the two countries through a potential deal for the German company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build six submarines for the Indian Navy in partnership with the state-owned Indian company Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.
The deal is under negotiation and would enable India to replace its aging fleet of Russian-made submarines. It is likely to include technology transfer clauses that would contribute to building its local defense industry. According to informed sources, the deal is not expected to be signed in the next two days, but the visit is expected to help move the discussions forward.
Merz is accompanied by a large economic delegation that includes executives from major companies such as Siemens and Airbus. A German government official said that “one of the main goals of this trip is to solidify economic relations with India.”
With its population of 1.4 billion, India is a major market for German exports. The value of trade between the two countries is around 50 billion euros.
With their sales declining in China, German companies now face fierce global competition from their Chinese counterparts in many industrial sectors. “German foreign trade is looking for growth markets, and this applies exactly to India,” said Florian Finke from the German government’s Trade and Invest agency.
EU-India trade agreement within reach
The timing of Merz’s visit is “absolutely perfect,” especially as a free trade agreement between the European Union and India appears within reach. Discussions will also focus on attracting skilled labor, according to the German government official.
With Germany’s aging population and chronic labor shortage, its companies have long relied on Indian talent, particularly in the information technology sector. Germany also seeks to attract more workers in the healthcare sector from India.
German universities are a popular destination for Indian students. Merz and Modi are expected to discuss rules governing the movement of workers and students between the two countries, in addition to cooperation in the field of research.
India
India is a South Asian country with a rich history spanning thousands of years, home to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley and a legacy of empires such as the Maurya and Mughal. Its diverse cultural heritage is reflected in numerous historic sites, from the Taj Mahal to temple complexes like Khajuraho, alongside a vibrant tapestry of languages, religions, and traditions.
European Union
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries, founded after World War II to foster economic cooperation and prevent future conflict. It has evolved from the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 into a major supranational entity with a single market, a common currency (the euro) used by 20 members, and shared policies on various issues.
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India, officially inaugurated in 1931 to serve as the new administrative center of British India, replacing Calcutta. It was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, featuring wide boulevards and grand government buildings like the Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. Today, it remains the seat of the Indian government and a major political and cultural hub.
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is a historic city in western India, founded in the 15th century by Sultan Ahmed Shah. It is renowned for its distinctive Indo-Islamic architecture, such as the Bhadra Fort and Jama Masjid, and as a pivotal center for India’s independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi. In 2017, its walled city area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich heritage of stepwells, temples, and densely packed traditional houses (pols).
Gujarat
Gujarat is a state in western India with a rich historical and cultural heritage, known as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Its history includes ancient Indus Valley Civilization sites like Lothal, as well as significant medieval trade centers influenced by various dynasties and colonial powers. The state is renowned for its vibrant festivals, traditional handicrafts, and diverse architectural landmarks, including the stepwells of Patan and the Somnath temple.
Bengaluru
Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. It originated as a mud fort in the 16th century and later became a prominent city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century before British colonial rule. Today, it is a major global technology hub, often called the “Silicon Valley of India.”
Sabarmati Ashram
Sabarmati Ashram, located in Ahmedabad, India, was the residence of Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1930 and served as a pivotal center for the Indian independence movement. It was from here that Gandhi launched the famous Salt March in 1930, a major nonviolent protest against British colonial rule. The ashram now operates as a museum dedicated to preserving his life and philosophy.
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is a leading German shipbuilding company specializing in the construction of submarines and naval surface vessels. Its history traces back to the 19th-century industrial foundations of the Thyssen and Krupp groups, with its modern naval division being formally established in its current structure in the early 2000s. The company is renowned for manufacturing advanced conventional submarines, notably the Type 212 and Type 214 classes, for navies around the world.
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces, tracing its modern origins to the colonial-era Royal Indian Marine. It was formally established as the Indian Navy in 1950 after India became a republic, and it has since grown into a significant blue-water force responsible for safeguarding the nation’s extensive coastline and maritime interests.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, located in Mumbai, is India’s premier shipyard with a history dating back to 1774. Originally a small dry dock, it was nationalized in 1960 and has since become a key defense contractor, constructing warships and submarines for the Indian Navy.
Siemens
Siemens is a global technology company founded in Berlin in 1847 by Werner von Siemens, originally focusing on telegraph systems and electrical engineering. It has since grown into a multinational conglomerate known for innovations in industry, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Airbus
Airbus is a European multinational aerospace corporation founded in 1970 through the collaboration of French, German, and later Spanish and British companies to compete in the civil aircraft market. It is best known for its family of commercial airliners, notably the A320 and A380, and has grown to become one of the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers alongside Boeing.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements.
German universities
German universities are among the oldest in the world, with the University of Heidelberg (founded in 1386) being the country’s oldest. They are renowned for their strong tradition of academic research and the Humboldtian model of integrating research and teaching, which originated in the 19th century and has influenced higher education globally. Today, they are largely publicly funded and offer a wide range of programs, with many having no tuition fees for undergraduate students.
