SYLLABUS

GS-2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: At the invitation of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Friedrich Merz, paid an official visit to India from 12-13 January 2026. 

More on the News: 

• This was Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India and his first visit to Asia as Federal Chancellor, reflecting the high priority Germany attaches to India as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific. 

• The visit followed the successful 7th India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) held in New Delhi on 25 October 2024, and comes at a high point in the journey of bilateral ties between the two countries, with the completion of 25 years of India–Germany Strategic Partnership in 2025, and commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Key highlights of India – Germany Joint Statement

• Defence and Security cooperation: 

• 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, and 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). 
• Signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to promote long-term industry-level collaboration, including technology partnerships, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and equipment.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Peacekeeping training between institutions of both countries, Reciprocal Logistics Support Agreement between armed forces, and knowledge exchange in the field of new Defence Technologies between DRDO and Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).
• Ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and noted the progress under the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

• Bilateral trade and investment:

• India-Germany bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed USD 50 billion in 2024, amounting to over 25% of India’s trade with EU. 
• Reiterated support for the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement as a key outcome of the upcoming EU-India Summit.

• Technology, Innovation, Science and Research:

• Establish an institutional dialogue across the semiconductor value chain through a new Joint Declaration of Intent on Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership. 
• Opening of the Global Capability Centre (GCC) by German technology enterprise Infineon in GIFT city in March last year.
• Establish Indo-German Centres of Excellence on Innovation (IG-CoE) focusing on Digital Convergence, Battery Technology, Green Transportation, and Affordable Healthcare. 
• MoU between the All- India Institute of Ayurveda and Charité University of Germany to promote scientific cooperation in traditional medicine.

• Green and Sustainable Development Partnership:

• Signing of the MoU between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water Industries (DVGW).
• Signing of Offtake Agreement under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, for supply of Green Ammonia from AM Green to Uniper Global Commodities.
• Welcomed the decision to scale up Triangular Development Cooperation (TDC) projects in Ghana, Cameroon and Malawi.

• Indo-Pacific, Connectivity and Global Issues:

• Announced a new bilateral Indo-Pacific consultation mechanism and reaffirmed strong support to India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Reiterated concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine, and expressed support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
• Welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan and noted the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 of 17 November 2025 as a step forward to end the conflict in Gaza. 

• Education, Skilling, Mobility and Culture:

• o Visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders for transiting through Germany. 
• o Creation of an Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education to deepen institutional linkages. 
• o Signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) on Global Skills Partnership, which focuses on creating an ethical and sustainable framework for skilled mobility, particularly to address Germany’s growing demand for healthcare professionals, while safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers. 
• o MoU between the German Maritime Museum – Leibniz Institute for Maritime History (DSM), Bremerhaven, and the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal.