Germany-India at 75: Chancellor Merz's Delhi Visit to Boost Strategic Partnership

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit aims to elevate the 75-year-old India-Germany diplomatic ties, focusing on economic cooperation, technology, and shared global issues.
• Germany is India's largest EU trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a record $33.40 billion in 2024, and is the ninth-largest investor in India.
• Defence cooperation is expanding, with joint exercises, simplified export-clearance for India, and potential mega deals like the $5.2 billion Type-214 submarine co-production.
• People-to-people ties are strengthening through the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, easing pathways for Indian workers and students in Germany.
• Challenges include the absence of a bilateral investment treaty, differing views on strategic autonomy, and visa processing delays, but political will remains strong.

Why It Matters: Chancellor Merz's visit signifies a pivotal moment for India-Germany relations, aiming for deeper strategic collaboration.