India and Germany agreed on a series of initiatives covering defence manufacturing, advanced technology, industrial research and scientific collaboration during the official visit of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India on 12–13 January 2026. The discussions formed part of bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation in sectors with direct relevance to manufacturing, aerospace, defence and innovation-driven industry.
During meetings held in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz reviewed the state of bilateral relations and endorsed steps to deepen defence and security cooperation, including at the industrial level. Both sides welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, intended to promote long-term collaboration between Indian and German companies through technology partnerships, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and equipment.
The two leaders noted ongoing cooperation in defence research and development, including engagement between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation on the Eurodrone medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle programme. They also took note of continued collaboration in areas such as submarines, helicopter obstacle avoidance systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems, alongside plans to expand military-to-military interaction through exercises, training and institutional exchanges.
In the area of advanced manufacturing and critical technologies, India and Germany agreed to strengthen cooperation across the semiconductor value chain through a new Joint Declaration of Intent on a Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership. The initiative aims to enhance institutional research and industrial collaboration between the two countries’ semiconductor ecosystems. The leaders also reviewed progress on cooperation in critical minerals, telecommunications, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0, as part of the broader Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap.
Science and research collaboration featured prominently in the discussions. Both sides agreed to extend the tenure of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre, which supports industry–academia research projects in areas including advanced manufacturing, medical technologies, sustainable production and artificial intelligence for sustainability. Progress towards establishing Indo-German Centres of Excellence focusing on digital convergence, battery technology, green transportation and affordable healthcare was also welcomed.
The leaders reaffirmed their intent to expand cooperation in space research and industry engagement through enhanced dialogue between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the German Space Agency. They agreed that closer space industry interaction would complement existing scientific cooperation between the two countries.
On sustainable industrial development, India and Germany reviewed new funding commitments of EUR 1.24 billion under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership to support projects in renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility and climate-resilient urban infrastructure. They also welcomed the establishment of joint working groups on solar manufacturing, wind energy and battery energy storage to strengthen technology collaboration, standards alignment and supply chain resilience.
Both sides reiterated support for concluding the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, viewing it as an important enabler for expanding manufacturing investment, technology transfer and research collaboration between India and Germany.
India and Germany maintain a strategic partnership encompassing trade, defence, technology and science, with bilateral trade in goods and services surpassing USD 50 billion in 2024 and a growing base of industrial, research and innovation-led cooperation across both economies.
