In a landmark moment for bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a transformative mega project in green hydrogen involving Indian and German companies during a joint press conference in Gandhinagar. Held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event followed high-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz, noting the symbolic timing. ‘It’s a special pleasure to host Chancellor Merz in India on Swami Vivekananda Jayanti,’ he said. Vivekananda had forged philosophical bridges between India and Germany, and this visit infuses new energy into that legacy. Marking Merz’s first trip to India and Asia as Chancellor, it underscores Germany’s commitment to deepening strategic partnerships.
Modi described the visit as a milestone, emphasizing how collaboration between India’s and Germany’s robust economies benefits global humanity. Bilateral trade has surged past $50 billion, the highest ever, with over 2,000 German firms thriving in India—a testament to unwavering confidence in its potential. The India-Germany CEO Forum earlier that day showcased this vibrancy.
Technology cooperation has strengthened annually, with visible impacts on the ground. Shared priorities in renewable energy led to the decision to establish an India-Germany Center of Excellence for knowledge, technology, and innovation sharing. Joint initiatives in climate action, energy, urban development, and mobility are gaining momentum.
At the heart of the announcements was the green hydrogen mega project. ‘This collaboration between our companies will be a game-changer for future energy needs,’ PM Modi declared. Both nations are aligning to build secure, trusted, and resilient supply chains. Multiple MoUs signed today will accelerate these efforts.
Defense ties received a boost too. Modi thanked Merz for simplifying defense trade processes and announced a roadmap for co-development and co-production in defense industries, symbolizing mutual trust.
Reflecting on people-to-people bonds, Modi invoked Rabindranath Tagore’s influence on German intellectuals, Vivekananda’s inspiration across Europe, and Madam Cama’s historic act of hoisting India’s flag in Germany. These historical ties are evolving into modern partnerships.
India’s skilled youth is pivotal. A Global Skills Partnership declaration eases mobility for healthcare professionals, while sports cooperation and a higher education roadmap open new doors. Modi invited German universities to set up campuses in India and appreciated visa-free transit for Indians. Cultural links, like the German Maritime Museum joining Gujarat’s Lothal complex and Ayurveda collaborations, further strengthen bonds.