India and Germany have reinforced their backing for the India–EU Free Trade Agreement by signing a series of agreements covering trade, technology, health, and renewable energy. The two nations finalized 19 agreements and unveiled various policy initiatives to enhance collaboration in strategic, economic, and people-to-people sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz applauded the robust growth in bilateral trade and investment, highlighting that bilateral trade hit a record high in 2024 and continued positively in 2025.
The bilateral trade between India and Germany in goods and services exceeded $50 billion in 2024, representing over a quarter of India’s trade with the EU. Leaders from both countries welcomed the endorsement of a Joint Declaration of Intent focusing on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation through the German-Indian CEO Forum. This initiative aims to boost business and industry partnerships, leveraging the longstanding presence of German companies in India and Indian firms in Germany.
PM Modi and Chancellor Merz commended the convening of the CEO forum, where they engaged with prominent CEOs and industry figures from both nations to encourage increased business collaboration and investments across various sectors such as technology, automotive, defense, shipbuilding, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, biotechnology, industrial equipment engineering, and energy. They also appreciated advancements in cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, digitalization, telecommunications, health, and bioeconomy, reinforcing the Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap.
The leaders emphasized the mutual interest in establishing an institutional dialogue along the semiconductor value chain through a new Joint Declaration of Intent on Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership. They stressed the importance of enhanced research and industrial collaboration between the Indian and German semiconductor ecosystems. PM Modi welcomed the inauguration of the Global Capability Centre (GCC) by German technology giant Infineon in GIFT city in March last year.
Recognizing the significance of resilient supply chains, the leaders acknowledged the strides made in promoting collaboration in critical minerals through a Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals cooperation. The two sides are keen on exploring opportunities in critical minerals exploration, research and development, value addition through processing and recycling, as well as the acquisition and development of critical mineral assets in both countries and third nations.
