New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, highlighting the shared commitment of both nations towards building a multipolar world and advancing cooperation in trade, technology, sustainability and defence.
In a post on X, PM Modi said India and Germany were celebrating 25 years of Strategic Partnership, adding that the relationship was poised to scale up across diverse sectors. “Delighted to meet German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. As vibrant democracies and leading economies, we see immense potential to scale up mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, technology, innovation, sustainability, manufacturing and mobility. We share a vision for a multipolar world, peace and UN reforms,” Modi said, while reiterating his invitation to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for an early visit to India.
Wadephul, in turn, praised India’s role in calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine and underlined the growing depth of bilateral ties. “Our countries have taken good steps to expand our strategic partnership across the board, particularly in security and defence, economy and trade as well as skilled labour. We also greatly appreciate India‘s call for a ceasefire in Ukraine,” he wrote on X after the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Wadephul held wide-ranging discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House. The two leaders explored opportunities for greater collaboration in industry linkages, digital technologies, semiconductors, critical technologies and talent mobility.
Jaishankar appreciated Germany’s strong push for closer India–EU relations and its advocacy for an early conclusion of the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He added that discussions also covered multilateral cooperation and key global issues, including the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.
Before arriving in New Delhi, Wadephul visited Bengaluru, describing the city as the “turbine of India’s economic powerhouse.” He inaugurated the SAP Experience Centre, toured Mercedes-Benz’s largest development hub outside Germany, and engaged with researchers at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
The German minister said India was making “massive investments in research and high-tech” and underscored Berlin’s readiness to partner in innovation and knowledge exchange.
He also noted the growing mobility of Indian professionals to Germany, with over 64,000 visa applications filed in Bengaluru in 2024 alone. Wadephul emphasised that creating the right framework for students, professionals and companies would be crucial in unlocking the full potential of the Indo-German partnership.
