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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, as both countries look to expand cooperation across defence, technology, trade, investment and critical emerging sectors.
The latest engagement comes amid a significant acceleration in bilateral ties during 2026. India and Germany are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, while the two countries have continued to build on the renewed momentum generated by Chancellor Merz’s January visit to India.
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The partnership is increasingly acquiring a strong defence-industrial dimension. In April, India and Germany signed a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, aimed at strengthening long-term collaboration in defence technology, co-development and co-production. Both sides have also identified niche technologies and greater industry-to-industry cooperation as priority areas.
The January India-Germany joint statement also highlighted cooperation in submarines, counter-unmanned aerial systems, the Eurodrone MALE UAV programme and advanced defence technologies. Germany has additionally committed to closer military-to-military cooperation, including exercises, training and exchanges.
Beyond defence, the strategic partnership is expanding into semiconductors, critical minerals, telecommunications, digitalisation, healthcare, biotechnology and advanced technology. During Chancellor Merz’s January visit, the two sides signed declarations covering semiconductor cooperation, critical minerals and telecommunications, alongside measures to strengthen economic and investment ties.
The economic relationship is also gaining importance as Germany seeks deeper engagement with India's rapidly expanding economy. Germany remains India’s largest trading partner within the European Union, while German companies have a substantial industrial presence in India. The two countries are also using the India-Germany CEO Forum to encourage greater business collaboration and investment.
The next India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) are scheduled to take place in Germany later this year, providing another high-level platform to translate the strategic partnership into concrete projects.
The deepening relationship carries wider strategic significance for India and Europe. Germany brings advanced industrial technology, engineering capabilities and investment, while India offers a large market, a competitive manufacturing base and an expanding technology ecosystem.
The trajectory suggests that India-Germany ties are evolving from a primarily economic and political partnership into a broader strategic and industrial relationship, with defence manufacturing, critical technologies and resilient supply chains increasingly becoming central pillars.
(Defence Watch– India’s Defence News centre that places the spotlight on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)
