English Translation of Prime Minister's Press Statement during the Joint Press Statement with the German Chancellor

1. At a Glance

• English translation of PM Modi's press statement released by PIB on 12 January 2026 during the joint press event with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad [S1][S3].
• Marks Merz's first visit to India and to Asia as Chancellor; coincides with Swami Vivekananda Jayanti [S1].
• Anchors the next phase of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership (silver jubilee in 2025; 75 years of diplomatic ties in 2026) [S2].
• Relevant for GS-II (International Relations) — bilateral ties with a key EU/G7 partner amid Indo-Pacific recalibration.

2. Why in the News

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited India on 12–13 January 2026 with a delegation of 23 German CEOs; PM Modi hosted him in Ahmedabad including a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and the Kite Festival [S2].
• Joint Statement issued 12 Jan 2026 announcing flagship deliverables in green hydrogen, skills, defence [S2].

3. Background & Evolution

• Diplomatic relations established 1951; 75-year milestone in 2026 [S2].
• Strategic Partnership declared in 2000; completed 25 years in 2025 [S2].
• Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) mechanism started in 2011 — biennial cabinet-level format (India is one of few non-EU partners with this format).
• 6th IGC (May 2022, Berlin); 7th IGC (Oct 2024, New Delhi) [S4].
• 8th IGC to be held in Germany later in 2026 [S2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Event: Joint Press Statement, Ahmedabad, 12 Jan 2026 (1:25 PM IST) [S1].
• German leader: Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU); succeeded Olaf Scholz [S1].
• Indian nodal ministry: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA); release by PIB, PMO [S1].
• Strategic Partnership year: 2000; Bilateral mechanism: IGC (biennial) [S2][S4].
• Key deliverables announced 12 Jan 2026:
• India–Germany Centre of Excellence in Renewable Energy [S2].
• Mega project in Green Hydrogen with companies of both sides [S2].
• Joint Declaration of Intent on Global Skills Partnership (migration, mobility, skilling) [S2].
• Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in Sport [S2].
• Endorsement of High Defence Committee outcomes (met New Delhi, November 2025) [S2].
• Germany is India's largest trading partner in the EU; India is among Germany's top Indo-Pacific partners (Germany's "Focus on India" strategy, 2024).

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Geopolitical / Strategic - Aligns with Germany's Indo-Pacific Guidelines (2020) and Focus on India strategy (Oct 2024); diversification away from China [S2]. - Reaffirmation of rules-based international order signals coordinated stance on Ukraine, Indo-Pacific [S2]. - High Defence Committee institutionalises defence-industrial ties (submarine, naval cooperation context).

Economic - 23-member CEO delegation underscores trade & investment push; Germany is India's largest EU trade partner [S2]. - Green Hydrogen mega project ties into India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) target of 5 MMT/year by 2030.

Scientific / Technological - Centre of Excellence in Renewable Energy — joint R&D platform [S2]. - Continuation of 2022 Green & Sustainable Development Partnership under which Germany committed €10 billion by 2030.

Social / Migration - Global Skills Partnership Joint Declaration — formalises pathways for Indian skilled workers; complements Migration & Mobility Partnership Agreement (signed Dec 2022, in force Feb 2023) [S2].

Cultural / Historical - PM invoked Swami Vivekananda as the Indo-German "bridge of philosophy" — references Vivekananda's intellectual links with Paul Deussen and German Indology [S1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Oct 2024: 7th IGC, New Delhi — Chancellor Scholz; Germany unveiled "Focus on India" strategy [S4].
• Nov 2025: High Defence Committee met in New Delhi [S2].
• 2025: 25 years of India–Germany Strategic Partnership [S2].
• 12–13 Jan 2026: Chancellor Merz's first India/Asia visit; Ahmedabad summit, Joint Statement, CoE in Renewables, Green Hydrogen mega project, Skills & Sports JDIs [S1][S2].
• Later in 2026: 8th IGC scheduled in Germany; 75 years of diplomatic relations [S2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• PM's press statement issued by PIB on 12 Jan 2026 during visit of Chancellor Friedrich Merz [S1].
• Merz's first visit to Asia as Chancellor [S1][S2].
• Visit coincided with Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (12 January) [S1].
• Venue of summit: Ahmedabad (Sabarmati Ashram, Kite Festival) [S2].
• India–Germany Strategic Partnership established in 2000; 25 years completed in 2025 [S2].
• Diplomatic relations: 75 years in 2026 [S2].
• IGC mechanism — biennial; 7th IGC: Oct 2024 New Delhi; 8th IGC: Germany, later 2026 [S2][S4].
• New India–Germany Centre of Excellence announced in Renewable Energy [S2].
• Joint Declaration of Intent on Global Skills Partnership signed 12 Jan 2026 [S2].
• Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in Sport signed 12 Jan 2026 [S2].
• High Defence Committee met in New Delhi, November 2025 [S2].
• Delegation included 23 German CEOs [S2].
• Germany is India's largest trading partner within the EU.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: International Relations — "Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India" and "effect of policies of developed countries on India's interests."
• GS-III: Energy security; Science & Tech cooperation (green hydrogen, renewables).
• Question stems: 1. "Discuss the strategic rationale behind Germany's growing engagement with India under its 'Focus on India' strategy and the Inter-Governmental Consultations mechanism." 2. "Examine the role of skills mobility partnerships in shaping India's foreign policy with European partners, with reference to the India–Germany Global Skills Partnership." 3. "Green hydrogen has emerged as the new frontier of India–Germany cooperation. Critically analyse."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• India–Germany Migration & Mobility Partnership Agreement (2022/2023) — basis for Skills Partnership.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission, 2023 — domestic anchor for the mega project.
• Germany's Indo-Pacific Guidelines (2020) & Focus on India Strategy (2024) — strategic backdrop.
• India–EU FTA & Trade and Technology Council (TTC, 2023) — wider European canvas.
• G7 + India outreach — Germany's role.
• India–France Strategic Partnership — comparative bilateral with another EU pillar.
• Quad & Indo-Pacific architecture — context of Germany's pivot.
• Swami Vivekananda's Western engagement (Parliament of Religions, 1893) — cultural diplomacy hook.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• IGC year: Started in 2011, not 2000 (which is the Strategic Partnership year).
• First Asia visit ≠ first foreign visit — Merz had earlier European travels; India was his first Asian destination [S2].
• Confusing Migration & Mobility Partnership Agreement (2022) with the new Global Skills Partnership JDI (2026) — the latter is a Joint Declaration of Intent, not a treaty.
• Venue was Ahmedabad, not New Delhi.
• Centre of Excellence announced is in Renewable Energy, not specifically AI/Defence.

11. Sources

• [S1] English Translation of Prime Minister's Press Statement during the Joint Press Statement with the German Chancellor — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2213680 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] India – Germany Joint Statement (12 January 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2213744 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] PM to meet German Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad on 12th January — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2212753 — (tier: 1)
• [S4] Joint Statement: 7th India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2068257 — (tier: 1)