New Delhi : German Member of Parliament and CDU/CSU foreign-policy spokesperson Jürgen Hardt discussed the growing strategic ties between India and Germany on a an International TV . He explained, why New Delhi is becoming increasingly important to Berlin’s foreign-policy and security outlook. He said that Germany is reassessing its role in a rapidly changing global environment, with growing attention to defence, energy security, supply-chain resilience, its economic dependence on China, and its relationships with Europe and the United States. As Berlin undertakes this strategic recalibration, India is emerging as an increasingly important partner.
German Member of Parliament said that Germany’s “Focus on India” strategy identifies India as its most important partner in South Asia and outlines plans to expand cooperation in areas including defence, technology, trade, energy, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
He said that Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India in January 2026 further strengthened the relationship. During discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both sides explored closer cooperation in defence, defence manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, clean energy and resilient supply chains.
The two countries have also expressed interest in deepening collaboration between their defence industries, including the possibility of joint development and production of military equipment. Discussions surrounding greater naval cooperation—and potential German participation in India’s submarine modernisation plans—have added a new strategic dimension to the partnership. Any major submarine agreement, however, would depend on further negotiations and formal decisions by both governments.
Economic relations provide another foundation for the expanding partnership. Germany is India’s largest trading partner within the European Union, while more than 2,000 German companies operate in India. Bilateral trade in goods and services is valued at nearly US$50 billion, reflecting the scale of commercial ties between the two economies.
From a long-standing strategic partnership to defence manufacturing, emerging technologies and maritime security, India and Germany are working to take their relationship to a new level.