India and Germany today deepened their strategic partnership following high-level delegation talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar. The visit, marking the 25th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership, resulted in the exchange of 19 MoUs and eight key announcements across defence, technology, and clean energy. 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. The German Chancellor indicated that the European Union and India may conclude a free trade agreement by the end of this month.
The visit witnessed the signing of several joint declarations of intent between the two countries, ranging from sectors like semiconductors, Critical Minerals cooperation, telecommunications and the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, focusing on the co-development and co-production of military hardware. Both countries placed special focus on talent mobility and skills cooperation. A major highlight of the visit is the announcement of a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders transiting through Germany.
On the economic front, both leaders welcomed the establishment of a CEO Forum to bolster trade and investment. For environmental sustainability, Germany announced a fresh funding commitment of 1.24 billion euros under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, supporting projects like the PM e-Bus Sewa and green hydrogen initiatives. The leaders also announced the decision to establish an India-Germany Centre of Excellence to enhance cooperation in green technologies, innovation and climate action.
They also welcomed the signing of one of the largest Offtake Agreements under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, for the supply of Green Ammonia from AM Green to Uniper Global Commodities. On the cultural front, an agreement was signed for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in collaboration with the German Maritime Museum. Besides, a comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education was exchanged to deepen institutional links between the two nations. The visit concluded with a strong emphasis on sports and youth, including a new agreement for the development of Youth Hockey.
