Image Credit: PMO India
India is set to intensify its engagement with Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expected to visit New Delhi later this month for high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Indian media reports. The visit is being viewed as a key diplomatic engagement ahead of the India–European Union Summit scheduled for January 27, and is expected to add momentum to India’s expanding partnership with Europe.
First India Visit as Chancellor
According to The Times of India, Chancellor Merz is likely to travel to India in the third week of January, marking his first official visit to the country since assuming office. The talks in New Delhi will focus on reviewing progress and setting future direction across a wide range of sectors, including trade, technology, innovation, green and sustainable development, mobility, and defence cooperation.
Indian media reported that the visit comes at a strategically important moment for New Delhi, as it prepares for intensive engagements with European partners at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Focus on Trade, Technology and Green Growth
Officials on both sides see the Chancellor Merz– PM Modi meeting as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in priority areas. Discussions are expected to centre on:
- Advancing trade and investment ties, including progress on an India–EU Free Trade Agreement
- Strengthening collaboration in technology, innovation and research
- Expanding partnerships in green development, clean energy and sustainability
- Enhancing migration and mobility frameworks
- Broadening cooperation in defence and security
Germany remains one of India’s principal European partners in climate and sustainability initiatives, with long-standing collaboration on renewable energy, urban development and skills development.
Building on Recent Leader-Level Engagements
Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz last met on the margins of the G7 Summit in Canada, where both leaders agreed to further expand the India–Germany strategic partnership. According to Indian media, Modi had thanked Merz during that interaction for Germany’s support for India’s actions against terrorism and extended an invitation for an official visit to New Delhi.
The forthcoming talks are expected to build on those discussions and provide political guidance for cooperation across ministries and industry.
India–EU Summit on January 27
The Chancellor’s visit is expected to set the tone for the India–EU Summit on January 27, where negotiations on trade, security, technology cooperation and migration are likely to take centre stage. Indian media noted that outcomes from the bilateral India–Germany summit could shape broader India–Europe engagement in the months ahead.
With both the Chancellor Merz visit and the India–EU summit approaching, India’s diplomatic calendar reflects a clear focus on strengthening European partnerships at a time of shifting global alignments—anchored firmly in trade, technology and sustainable growth.
