By Tanisha Mohanty
India and Germany announced a slew of defence, economic and industrial strategic partnerships on Monday. In a historic two-day long visit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ahmedabad to meet PM Modi to sign 19 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to improve bilateral relations.
The leaders agreed to create visa-free travel for Indians in Germany, provided that they stay within the International Transit Zone without entering the country. The provision will allow easy migration and mobility for over 60,000 Indian students, especially healthcare professionals, under the Joint Declaration of Intent signed on Monday.
Particularly targeting defence technologies, renewable energy development, visa-free travel and continued investment of German companies, the trade deal between the two countries surpassed over 50 billion dollars. As part of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) , Germany’s 1.24 billion euros will contribute to the development of clean and renewable energy
Germany will also send a liaison officer to take part in the navy and air exercises, focusing on co-production of defence technology partnership. Technological partnerships included focus on mineral supply chains and extensive research. Merz stated that India and the world is undergoing a “renaissance of unfortunate protectionism” which is significantly affecting both countries.
He also urged New Delhi to become independent of Russia for arms and oil requirements, as Germany has close ties with India’s market. The bilateral agreements also included emphasis on a roadmap concentrating on upskilling and campus expansion in India. A National Centre for Skilling in Renewable Energy will be established in Hyderabad, as per ANI. PM Modi also explicitly invited German universities to open campuses in India.
India-Germany partnership is highly centred around bilateral trade deals– accounting up to 16.65 billion dollars in 2024-25. Over 2,000 German companies invest in India, and form almost a quarter of India’s trade with the European Union. Thus, talks of finally forming a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU are highly anticipated as Merz’s visit to India marks 25 years of partnership and diplomacy.