NewsGlobalGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Make First Official Visit to India on January 12-13, 2026German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Make First Official Visit to India on January 12-13, 2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make his first official visit to India on January 12-13, 2026, at Prime Minister Modi's invitation. The visit will cover Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, focusing on reviewing 25 years of India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Discussions will strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, defense, education, and sustainable development, while both leaders will engage with business communities and address regional and global issues.
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German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake his first official visit to India on January 12-13, 2026, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit represents a significant milestone in India-Germany diplomatic relations and will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.
Visit Itinerary and Key Meetings
Chancellor Merz will travel to two major Indian cities during his visit - Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Prime Minister Modi will receive the German Chancellor in Ahmedabad on January 12, where the leaders will conduct comprehensive discussions on bilateral cooperation.
| Visit Details: | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration: | January 12-13, 2026 |
| Cities: | Ahmedabad and Bengaluru |
| Host: | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Nature: | First official visit as Chancellor |
Strategic Partnership Review
The leaders will review progress across the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which marked 25 years of cooperation. This milestone partnership has evolved into a comprehensive framework covering multiple dimensions of bilateral engagement.
Discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation across several key areas:
- Trade and investment expansion
- Technology collaboration and innovation
- Education, skilling, and mobility programs
- Defense and security cooperation
- Science, innovation, and research partnerships
- Green and sustainable development initiatives
- People-to-people ties enhancement
Business and Industry Engagement
Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will interact with business and industry leaders from both countries during the visit. These interactions aim to explore new opportunities for commercial cooperation and investment partnerships between Indian and German enterprises.
The leaders will also exchange views on key regional and global issues, reflecting the strategic nature of their partnership and shared interests in addressing international challenges.
Broader Diplomatic Context
The visit builds on sustained high-level political engagement between India and Germany and is expected to further reinforce their shared vision of a forward-looking partnership for mutual benefit and global good. This diplomatic engagement occurs within a broader context of India's enhanced engagement with European partners.
The German Chancellor's visit takes place shortly before top European Union leaders arrive in Delhi to work on the India-EU free trade agreement. Additionally, India will host French President Emmanuel Macron next month for participation in the AI Summit, highlighting India's growing strategic importance in European diplomatic priorities.
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