In a brief announcement on 7 March 1951, the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government stated: “The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of India have agreed that they will shortly exchange diplomatic missions with the status of legations.”

Since then, relations between Germany and what is now the most populous country in the world have developed into a strategic partnership. Today, relations between Germany, the country with the highest population in the EU, and India, the world’s largest democracy in terms of population, are defined by mutual respect, shared values and support in a spirit of partnership.

In 2024, the German Government adopted the strategy paper “Focus on India”, setting itself an ambitious agenda of further expanding Indo-German cooperation. Priorities include cooperation in the areas of foreign and security policy, development cooperation, climate and environmental protection, the expansion of economic and trade relations, intensification of collaboration in research and academia, and the recruitment of skilled labour.

Germany is India’s most important trading partner in the European Union. Over 2000 German companies are active in India – some have been so for decades – particularly in the automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, chemicals and renewable energies sectors. Conversely, Indian companies are increasingly investing in Germany, primarily in the IT, pharmaceuticals and engineering sectors.

Scientific collaboration is a further cornerstone of our bilateral relations. Research institutes, universities and innovation centres work closely together, for example in the fields of climate research, artificial intelligence and health. With almost 60,000 students from India, Germany is one of the most popular study destinations in Europe for Indians. Almost a third of all student visas for Germany worldwide are issued in India. At the same time, German scientific organisations are active in India via their own offices there.

Our two countries are committed to a rules-based international order and to multilateral cooperation. Germany supports a greater inclusion of India in international institutions. Germany and India are close partners in the endeavours to reform the United Nations and in the fight against international terrorism. We also want to further expand our cooperation in the security field, with joint exercises by our armed forces and by speeding up export licences, as security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific has an impact on Europe.

2026 – a year with a focus on the partnership between Germany and India

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India from 12 to 13 January 2026 underlined the vibrant partnership and the mutual desire to deepen our relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Federal Chancellor in his home state of Gujarat – a sign of the close relations and of appreciation. The Federal Chancellor was accompanied by a trade delegation and visited German companies in India.
• The 16^th EU‑India Summit was held in New Delhi on 27 January 2026. EU and Indian leaders underlined their determination to take the strategic partnership between the EU and India to the next level. The Summit focused on deepening trade relations and on the EU‑India security and defence partnership. The Summit also saw the successful conclusion of the negotiations on a wide-ranging EU‑India free trade agreement, which will strengthen our economic and trade relations.
• The eighth Indo‑German intergovernmental consultations are scheduled to take place in Germany towards the end of the year. This will further the joint projects launched during the Federal Chancellor’s visit to India. Indo‑German intergovernmental consultations have been held regularly since 2011. During these consultations, the cabinets of both countries meet to agree key joint cooperation matters.