NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met on Monday in western Gujarat state to push for deeper financial and safety ties between the South Asian nation and Europe’s largest economic system.

Modi and Merz held talks within the metropolis of Gandhinagar, the place the 2 nations signed numerous agreements to reinforce cooperation within the protection sector, ability growth, well being and schooling, as each nations search to cut back dependence on China and bolster financial ties.

After the bilateral talks, Modi famous that Germany is India’s most vital buying and selling associate within the European Union and mentioned each leaders have been in search of to increase these ties.

He mentioned the 2 nations are pursuing new initiatives in areas similar to local weather motion, power and mining of uncommon earth parts, and have additionally agreed on a highway map to spice up cooperation between their protection industries for joint growth and manufacturing.

“We need to elevate the relations between India and Germany to a fair greater degree,” Modi mentioned.

Germany has not historically had shut protection ties with India, however the two sides have been making an attempt to spice up cooperation within the sector. Germany’s Thyssenkrupp is anticipated to associate with Indian corporations to construct six superior standard submarines in India, a part of New Delhi’s ongoing efforts to modernize its naval capabilities.

Merz mentioned India and Germany share “great financial potential,” and the 2 nations are working collectively to strengthen ties within the discipline of safety coverage and protection cooperation.

“India is a desired associate, a associate of selection for Germany,” Merz mentioned, in response to a stay official translation. He added that negotiations on a free commerce settlement between India and the EU have to be concluded to completely notice the potential of financial ties between the 2 nations.

The 2 sides additionally signed an settlement that makes it simpler for Indians to work in Germany’s well being care sector.

Merz’s go to to India — additionally his first to an Asian nation since he took workplace final yr — comes forward of a deliberate India-EU summit later this month, the place leaders hope to make progress on a long-pending free commerce settlement. India hopes to deepen financial engagement with Europe within the face of U.S. tariff charges of fifty%.

Throughout his go to, Merz toured the Sabarmati Ashram, as soon as residence to independence chief Mahatma Gandhi, and attended the Worldwide Kite Pageant on the Sabarmati riverfront. Modi and Merz flew kites throughout the occasion.

Merz, who’s accompanied by a big enterprise delegation, is later scheduled to journey to southern Bengaluru metropolis to fulfill Indian and German enterprise and know-how leaders.