Germany’s Merz heads to India to bolster trade, security ties

AFP | Berlin

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz left for India on Sunday for a visit to bolster economic and security ties between the top EU economy and the Asian population giant.

Both Berlin and New Delhi face a turbulent world order and a set of economic and geopolitical challenges from the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China.

Merz’s visit from Monday -- his first to an Asian country since he took office last May -- comes two weeks ahead of a planned EU-India summit and as India and the bloc are working on a free trade agreement.

“This agreement is envisioned not just as a trade deal, but as a comprehensive partnership that addresses modern economic realities,” India’s commerce ministry said on Friday.

During Merz’s two-day visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him in Ahmedabad, in the premier’s western home state of Gujarat, before Merz travels to the southern technology hub of Bengaluru.

The two leaders will attend a traditional kite festival and visit the Sabarmati Ashram, the spiritual retreat where Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence struggle, lived for many years. That Merz chose India for his first trip to Asia as chancellor “demonstrates how India, the world’s largest democracy, is an important strategic partner for Germany,” a government spokesman said on Friday in Berlin.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will be in New Delhi on January 26 for India’s annual Republic Day parade.

For India and Germany, security links could also be bolstered by a potential deal for German’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build six submarines for the Indian Navy in a partnership with Indian state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.

That deal remains under negotiation, but would allow India to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-built submarines and likely include technology transfer provisions that would help build up its domestic defence industry. Merz will be accompanied by a large business delegation, including executives from corporate giants such as Siemens and Airbus.