Modi, Merz push defence, trade ties amid global flux

As many as 19 pacts were inked, including a declaration on defence industrial cooperation

- Rezaul H. Laskar

The countries also unveiled measures such as a Track 1.5 foreign policy and security dialogue, and a dialogue on the Indo-Pacific region.

(PT)

India and Germany on Monday finalized measures to deepen economic and security cooperation, including a road map for defence industrial collaboration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chancellor Friedrich Merz describing the two countries as natural partners in a world grappling with geopolitical upheaval and uncertainty.

Merz, on his first visit to Asia since taking office last year, was accompanied by a large business delegation to emphasize the importance of bolstering economic ties with India amid unpredictability created by US trade policies. During talks with Modi in Ahmedabad, Merz underscored the importance of finalizing the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement to drive trade and investment.

The two sides finalized 19 agreements, including a joint declaration of intent (Dol) on strengthening bilateral defence industrial cooperation, and unveiled other measures such as a Track 1.5 foreign policy and security dialogue, and a dialogue on the Indo-Pacific region that will see them working more closely on defence and security matters.