New Delhi buzzed with diplomatic enthusiasm as Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, warmly welcomed Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s inaugural official visit to the country. Arriving in Gujarat earlier this week at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Merz’s two-day trip marked a pivotal moment in Indo-German relations, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership and the 75th year of diplomatic ties.
Ackermann shared his excitement on social media platform X, describing the visit as ‘unique.’ Discussions spanned critical areas like defense cooperation, trade, investment, and migration. One standout moment came when Chancellor Merz was deeply impressed by a young Indian woman who conversed fluently with him in German—after just four months of learning the language.
The itinerary kicked off in Ahmedabad on Monday, where PM Modi hosted Merz. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering defense and security ties, including deeper military-to-military engagement and regular naval port calls. Modi later posted on X, praising the visit for injecting new vitality into bilateral relations. ‘India is proud that Chancellor Merz chose our nation for his first trip to Asia,’ he noted, highlighting Merz’s personal dedication.
Talks delved into elevating ties in quality, focusing on defense, space, and emerging technologies. Key emphases included climate action, resilient supply chains, skills development, education, sports, culture, and people-to-people connections. This visit signals a robust future for India-Germany collaboration amid global challenges, promising enhanced economic and strategic synergies.