Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz fly kites during the inauguration of the international kite festival in Ahmedabad, India, on Jan. 12, 2026. Ajit Solanki/AP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met on Jan. 12 in the western Indian state of Gujarat, pledging to deepen economic, defense, and strategic ties as Europe’s largest economy looks to strengthen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and diversify supply chains.
Merz, on his first official visit to India and his first trip to Asia since taking office, was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included 23 senior German business leaders, according to a joint statement issued by the Indian government on Jan. 12.
