German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on a two-day official visit to India, his first to Asia as Chancellor, to deepen bilateral ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, defence, and security. The visit, occurring amid global geopolitical and economic shifts, also includes cultural exchanges and a focus on shared strategic interests, building on the 25-year-old strategic partnership between the two nations.