India and Germany Deepen Strategic Ties with Defence, Technology, and Trade Pacts

India and Germany on Monday 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 the early hours of Monday held bilateral and delegation-level talks in Gujarat, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation. They also 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.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of mobilising finance and investment for renewable energy and welcomed the joint efforts under the India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energy Worldwide, such as the launch of joint working groups on solar energy manufacturing and wind energy.

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".

They welcomed the establishment of a new 'Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue' between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Germany's intent to participate in 'Naval Exercise MILAN', the '9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs' in February 2026, 'Air Combat Exercise TARANG SHAKTI' in September 2026, as well as Germany's decision to deploy a Liaison Officer to the 'Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)'.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at ongoing cooperation between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) for the "Eurodrone MALE UAV programme", which will enable India to "collaborate and harness advanced military technology" and strengthen its "strategic and defence ties with Europe".

Both leaders welcomed progress in cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, critical minerals, digitalisation, telecommunications, health and the bioeconomy, which consolidates the Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap.

They welcomed the strong willingness on both sides to establish an institutional dialogue across the semiconductor value chain through a new Joint Declaration of Intent on Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership.

Recognising the importance of resilient supply chains, the Leaders noted the progress on fostering collaboration in the field of critical minerals through a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) on Critical Minerals cooperation.

The two sides aim to explore opportunities in the areas of exploration of critical minerals, R&D, value addition through processing and recycling, as well as acquisition and development of critical mineral assets in both countries and third 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.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz reiterated their support for the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement as a key outcome of the upcoming EU-India Summit, which will facilitate trade flows and inject further momentum into German-Indian economic relations.

The two sides noted sustained growth in bilateral trade and investment and noted that bilateral trade reached a record high in 2024, with the positive trend continuing through 2025. India-Germany bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed USD 50 billion in 2024, amounting to over 25 per cent of India's trade with EU.

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

On broader cooperation, PM Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, highlighted collaboration between the German Maritime Museum and the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, cooperation in traditional medicine, trilateral development projects in Africa, and the new Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education.

He reiterated joint support for reform of global institutions, including UN Security Council reform through the G4. Chancellor Merz's visit, his first bilateral trip outside NATO and the EU since assuming office, comes as India and Germany mark 25 years of strategic partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations.

The two leaders earlier paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram and jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 in Ahmedabad. Chancellor Merz will travel to Bengaluru on January 13 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.