Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Friedrich Merz on Tuesday evening and congratulated him on assuming office as the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Spoke to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and congratulated him on assuming office. Reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Exchanged views on regional and global developments. We stand united in the fight against terrorism,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that both leaders noted the “excellent progress” in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership over the past 25 years. They agreed to work closely to deepen ties in trade, investment, defence, security, innovation, and technology.
Both leaders acknowledged the positive contributions made by the Indian diaspora in Germany. They also exchanged views on global and regional developments of mutual interest. The two reaffirmed their shared commitment to combat terrorism in all forms.
Prime Minister Modi invited Chancellor Merz to visit India. The leaders agreed to remain in regular contact.
Earlier this month, PM Modi had extended warm congratulations to Merz following his election victory. “Heartiest congratulations to Friedrich Merz on assuming office as the Federal Chancellor of Germany. I look forward to working together to further cement the India-Germany Strategic Partnership,” he posted on X.
Merz, from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected as Chancellor with 325 votes in the Bundestag, exceeding the required 316.
Born in 1955 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz studied law and served as a judge in Saarbrücken from 1985 to 1986. He served in the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994 and later in the Bundestag from 1994 to 2009, leading the CDU/CSU group from 2000 to 2002.
He returned to politics in 2018 after Angela Merkel stepped down from the CDU leadership, eventually becoming party chairman and parliamentary leader.
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