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German Chancellor Friedrick Merz is in India for his first ever state visit after assuming office.

India and Germany on Monday the 12th of January 2026 significantly expanded their strategic partnership, by signing a Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, strongly condemning recent terrorist attacks in India, and agreeing to enhance cooperation in defence, technology, supply chains, education and global affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who arrived in India in Ahmadabad in the early hours of Monday held bilateral and delegation-level talks reaffirming their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation.

Both the leaders welcomed the signing of the roadmap aimed at promoting long-term industry-level collaboration, including technology partnerships, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and equipment.

India welcomed Germany’s efforts to facilitate expeditious export clearances of defence equipment.

The two leaders appreciated growing interaction between Indian and German defence businesses through defence roundtables and seminars in Berlin and New Delhi, and agreed for regular exchanges in this area.

The two sides lauded ongoing cooperation in submarines, obstacle avoidance systems for helicopters and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and looked forward to enhanced defence industrial collaboration based on complementarity of strengths—India’s skilled workforce and competitive costs, and Germany’s high technologies and investment.

The two sides endorsed the commitment of both sides to “deepen military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training, and exchanges of senior officials”, and noted with “satisfaction regular reciprocal port calls by the Naval ships of both countries”.

In the joint statement issued by two Leaders, they called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

They ‘condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident in Delhi on 10 November 2025.

They committed to strengthening co-operation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee,’’ the Joint Statement said.

Addressing a joint press meet, PM Modi said the Indo-Pacific is a high priority for both countries and announced the launch of a consultation mechanism to enhance cooperation in the region and work towards secure and resilient supply chains.

The two leaders discussed global and regional issues including Ukraine and Gaza, and reiterated support for peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.

This is Chancellor Merz’s visit trip outside NATO and the EU since assuming office.

Both Modi and Merz jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 in Ahmedabad.

Later both paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram.

Chancellor Merz will travel to Bengaluru on 13th January to review cooperation in advanced manufacturing and innovation, underscoring Germany’s intent to deepen economic resilience, defence and technology collaboration, and diversify global supply chains through closer engagement with India.