India and Germany Various Pacts On German Chancellor Visit To India

India and Germany have taken a major step forward in strengthening their strategic and economic partnership by signing a series of migration, security and cooperation agreements, alongside announcing a visa-free transit facility for Indian nationals. The decisions followed high-level bilateral talks between Narendra Modi and German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar on 12 January 2026. The developments underline growing mutual trust and convergence of strategic priorities, particularly in talent mobility, clean energy, security cooperation and people-to-people ties, as India-Germany bilateral trade crosses the USD 50 billion mark.

Migration, Mobility and Global Skills Partnership

A central outcome of the talks was a renewed emphasis on legal migration pathways and skills cooperation, especially for Indian professionals in the healthcare sector. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India’s skilled youth are already making a significant contribution to Germany’s economy, reflecting the complementary nature of both labor markets.

A Joint Declaration of Intent on the Global Skills Partnership was issued, which aims to facilitate structured mobility of skilled workers, with special focus on healthcare professionals. This agreement is seen as a model for ethical and mutually beneficial migration, addressing Germany’s demographic and workforce needs while creating global opportunities for Indian talent.

Visa-Free Transit for Indians

In a major facilitation measure, both sides announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian citizens, a move that signals deepening trust and closer people-to-people engagement. This step is expected to ease travel for Indians transiting through Germany and further encourage business, educational and cultural exchanges.

Security Cooperation and Strategic Engagement

Alongside migration, India and Germany signed agreements aimed at strengthening security cooperation, reflecting shared concerns over global and regional stability. While specific operational details were not disclosed, the agreements reaffirm both countries commitment to countering common security challenges through dialogue and cooperation.

This dimension adds strategic depth to the partnership, moving it beyond trade and development into the realm of security and geopolitical coordination.

Clean and Sustainable Energy as a Strategic Priority

Clean and sustainable energy emerged as a key area of convergence during the talks. Prime Minister Modi noted that India and Germany share similar objectives in renewable energy and climate action, making this sector a natural pillar of bilateral cooperation.

To institutionalize this collaboration, both leaders announced the establishment of an India-Germany Centre of Excellence, aimed at advancing green technologies, innovation and climate solutions. This initiative aligns with India’s energy transition goals and Germany’s global leadership in clean technology.

Cultural and Heritage Cooperation

The bilateral engagement also extended to the cultural and heritage domain. A notable partnership was announced between the German Maritime Museum and India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex being developed at Lothal in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Modi described this collaboration as a historic step connecting the maritime histories of both nations, highlighting how cultural diplomacy complements strategic and economic ties.

Context of the Visit

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India coincides with 75 years of India–Germany diplomatic relations and 25 years of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Significantly, this marks Merz’s first visit to an Asian country since assuming office.

The visit also comes at a time when both nations are working to finalise a long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which could further expand trade, investment and supply chain integration.

Senior Indian officials, including S Jaishankar, Ajit Doval, and Vikram Misri, were part of the Indian delegation, underscoring the strategic importance of the talks.

Symbolic and Cultural Engagements

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz visited the Sabarmati Ashram and participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. These engagements highlighted the cultural dimension of India-Germany relations, reinforcing goodwill and mutual understanding.