Germany has announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders transiting through its airports. This move, revealed during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India, means Indian travellers will no longer need a Schengen transit visa if they remain within the international transit zones of German airports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision, stating it would strengthen people-to-people ties. The facility is strictly for transit and does not permit entry into Germany or the Schengen area for tourism or other purposes, for which separate visas are still required.