German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Germany is keen to elevate its relationship with India to a higher level, stressing that both countries share a fundamental interest in deepening their strategic partnership amid ongoing geopolitical changes and global uncertainty.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their talks in Ahmedabad, Merz said India and Germany are committed to intensifying cooperation across sectors. Referring to his visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s birthplace earlier in the day, Merz cited Gandhi’s words, “Be the change which you hope for the world,” and said both countries intend to work together towards that vision by strengthening bilateral ties.
Merz thanked Modi for inviting him to Gujarat, describing it as a reflection of the deep ties and friendship between the two nations. He said Ahmedabad and Gujarat symbolise India’s democratic legacy and economic transformation, from its historical role in India’s freedom movement to its present-day industrial growth and vibrant startup ecosystem.
Highlighting shared political values and economic potential, Merz said Gujarat reflects what both countries aim to achieve through closer engagement, particularly in areas of skilled labour, education and economic cooperation. He noted that India and Germany see strong alignment in advancing their partnership against the backdrop of global geopolitical upheavals.
The German Chancellor said both countries remain committed to free trade and open markets at a time when protectionist trends are re-emerging globally. He said India and Germany oppose the use of supply chains and raw materials as geopolitical tools and are working to reduce unilateral dependencies to strengthen economic resilience. Merz described India, the fastest-growing economy in the G20, as a pivotal partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Calling India a “desired partner” and a “partner of choice,” Merz said Germany and India share fundamental democratic values and essential strategic interests. He pointed out that Germany, the European Union’s most populous and economically strong member state, and India, the world’s largest democracy, are well positioned to deepen cooperation based on mutual strengths in technology, innovation and growth.
Merz also addressed global security concerns, stating that Germany supports an international order where people can live freely and securely. He said the current world order is increasingly shaped by great power competition, citing Russia’s military action in Ukraine as the most severe manifestation of this shift.
He said India and Germany may not agree on all global issues but share significant common ground, particularly in security cooperation. Merz expressed Germany’s intention to deepen defence collaboration with India, including defence industrial cooperation.
He noted that the two countries already conduct joint naval and air force exercises, port visits and military consultations. Merz said a recently signed memorandum will strengthen cooperation in defence development and production, promote innovation and reinforce global supply chains, while also expanding economic ties between the two nations.
