New Delhi

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on his first official visit to India since assuming office, marking his maiden visit to Asia as Chancellor.

Misri said the German leader arrived in Ahmedabad early Monday morning and was received by the Gujarat Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. He noted that Chancellor Merz is accompanied by a high-level official delegation and a large business contingent, underscoring the emphasis both countries place on strengthening trade, investment and commercial engagement.

Describing the timing of the visit as especially significant, Misri said it coincides with two major milestones — 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

“The visit offers an important opportunity to review and further deepen a rich and long-standing partnership,” he said.

During the visit, India and Germany finalised a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation in higher education, following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz aimed at advancing bilateral relations across sectors.

In his media statement, Prime Minister Modi said the education roadmap would provide fresh momentum to academic collaboration and invited German universities to establish campuses in India.

At a joint press conference, Modi also thanked the German Chancellor for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, calling it a step that would strengthen people-to-people ties.

The two leaders later interacted with business leaders at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad. Modi said bilateral trade has crossed USD 50 billion, the highest ever, and highlighted the presence of over 2,000 German companies in India as a reflection of confidence in the Indian economy.

The Prime Minister also said cooperation in technology and renewable energy has expanded steadily, announcing the establishment of an India-Germany Centre of Excellence to promote joint work in knowledge, innovation and technology.

Several Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit, and delegation-level talks were held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The discussions reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, education, skilling, mobility, defence, security, science, research and sustainable development.

READ MORE: Real Hero Hussain Mansuri wins hearts of blind Pune students

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present at the talks.