The leaders welcomed the establishment of a new Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue between the two countries.
Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, is on a two-day visit to India starting today, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On his maiden visit to India, the Chancellor is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including 23 leading German CEOs and industry leaders.
It is also 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, according to a joint statement released by both countries.
The visit follows the successful 7th Indi
a-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 the India-Germany Strategic Partnership in 2025, and the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, the release read.
Both leaders sincerely appreciated the renewed momentum in bilateral engagement across government, business, civil society, and academia, which has played an instrumental role in advancing and deepening the Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad earlier today. The two leaders paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram and participated in the famous Kite Festival.
They also addressed the India-Germany CEOs Forum.
As per the joint statement, the two leaders held restricted and delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad on 12 January 2026, reaffirming shared democratic values, commitment to a rules-based international order, and mutual respect underpinning the Strategic Partnership.
Both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and global developments. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation, including deepening military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training, and exchanges of senior officials.
The leaders welcomed the establishment of a new Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue between the two countries.
Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Germany's intent to participate in Naval Exercise MILAN and the 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).
The two leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
Der Sabarmati Ashram ist ein eindrucksvolles Zeugnis der Ideale Mahatma Gandhis, die unzähligen Menschen auf der ganzen Welt Kraft gegeben haben.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026
Heute Morgen bin ich in Ahmedabad mit dem deutschen Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz zum Sabarmati Ashram gegangen.@bundeskanzler… pic.twitter.com/gB00VaD0mK
They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, and the terror incident in Delhi on 10 November 2025. They committed to strengthening cooperation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed under the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee. Both sides also called upon all countries to continue working towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, as well as disrupting terrorist networks and financing, in accordance with international law.
The leaders welcomed the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and noted the progress under the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.
Chancellor Merz is scheduled to visit Bengaluru, with engagements focusing on business and technological collaboration between India and Germany.
(For more news apart from “Federal Chancellor of Germany visits India at the invitation of PM Modi; Condemn Pahalgam, Delhi terror attack," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
