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Narendra Modi (l), Prime Minister of India, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) visit a kite festival. It is the Chancellor's first major trip to Asia since taking office in May. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Keystone
Germany and India want to expand their cooperation in the field of armaments. A declaration of intent to this effect was signed by the defense ministries during Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India in Ahmedabad.
Contracts for specific projects have not yet been signed. However, India wants to build six submarines worth eight billion euros in cooperation with the German company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Mumbai. An agreement on this is expected to be signed shortly and could open the door to further cooperation.
According to the latest statistics from the peace research institute Sipri, India is the largest arms importer in the world. Between 2019 and 2023, the country still purchased 36% of its military equipment from Russia - even if the trend is declining. German arms exports to India could therefore also reduce dependence on Russia.
A total of 27 declarations of intent and announcements were signed on the sidelines of the talks between Merz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - from cooperation in the mining of rare earths to the promotion of young field hockey players in both countries and the recruitment of specialists for the German healthcare system.
The recruitment of skilled workers from India has already been promoted by previous governments. According to the Federal Employment Agency, the number of Indians employed in Germany and subject to social security contributions rose from just under 25,000 to just under 170,000 between 2015 and 2025. And at just under 60,000, the largest group of foreign students comes from India.
12.01.2026, 08:32
