All posts tagged: Merz

Trump vs Merz and US withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany: What’s behind move

Trump vs Merz and US withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany: What’s behind move

Published by Parlour News

The Iran-US war has put to test Washington’s allegiance with other countries especially the NATO allies in Europe. Germany might be the latest highlight in this as the Pentagon announced the drawdown from Germany, its largest European base, on Saturday. Track updates on Iran US war US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany (REUTERS) The timing of the troop exit is interesting as it comes days after US President Donald Trump sparred with German chancellor Friedrich Merz as he questioned Washington’s exit strategy in the Middle East. Though Trump had called for a reduced military presence in Germany since his first term and has repeatedly urged Europe to take responsibility for its defence, the sudden exit hints at strained ties. Also read: ‘We’re not like India’: Pakistan minister admits to no strategic oil reserves, says stocks for only ‘5-7 days’ The war that started with joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 has threatened global energy supplies. The heads of several countries are concerned as rising energy prices are rendering huge blows to economies. For …

Merz, Lula hail EU-Mercosur deal as antidote to unilateralism

Merz, Lula hail EU-Mercosur deal as antidote to unilateralism

Published by Parlour News

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hailed the EU’s looming trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc on Sunday as he opened a major trade fair in Hanover and welcomed Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as a guest of honour. Merz, Lula hail EU-Mercosur deal as antidote to unilateralism Merz described Brazil the largest of the Mercosur countries as a valuable economic and strategic partner for the European Union in a world riven by conflict. Lula joined Merz in casting the deal as a response to tariffs and other trade protectionism, an indirect criticism of US President Donald Trump. “Faced with unilateralism, Mercosur and the European Union have chosen cooperation,” Lula said at the Hanover international trade fair’s opening event. The Brazilian president later added: “We cannot allow the world to bow to the behaviour of a president who thinks that by e-mail or by Twitter he can tax products, punish countries and wage war.” The EU-Mercosur trade deal is set to take provisional effect on May 1, though the agreement still faces a legal …

Motherhood through grammar lessons: Baby Ariha’s mother learns German to speak to her as Modi raises case with Merz

Motherhood through grammar lessons: Baby Ariha’s mother learns German to speak to her as Modi raises case with Merz

Published by Parlour News

For Dhara Shah, motherhood has come to mean vocabulary drills, grammar lessons and two brief, supervised visits a month to see her four-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Ariha, an Indian citizen, has been in foster care in Germany since infancy— a separation that has stretched into its fifth year despite the dismissal of abuse allegations against her parents. The Gujarat-born mother has been learning German for nearly three years to communicate with her daughter, who speaks only the language of her foster homes. Ms. Dhara has become the sole interpreter for her husband, Bhavesh Shah, who does not know the language. Family members in Ahmedabad told The Hindu that Ms. Dhara translates during the couple’s tightly regulated visits with their daughter. The case in brief The couple moved to Berlin in 2018 after Mr. Bhavesh secured a job as a software engineer. Ariha was born in February 2021. The lives were upended seven months later, in September, when German child welfare authorities took the baby into foster care following allegations of abuse. According to the family, those allegations …

Friedrich Merz concludes Gujarat visit; India-Germany ties set for major boost

Friedrich Merz concludes Gujarat visit; India-Germany ties set for major boost

Published by Webster

After his two-day visit to India, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday left for Germany. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, and other dignitaries saw him off at Ahmedabad Airport, news agency IANS reported.  Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz held delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. During the meet and greet, both the leaders agreed to take the relationship between the two nations to a qualitatively higher level, with deeper cooperation in defence, space and other critical and emerging technologies, IANS reported. Chancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs. Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world. Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, several German… pic.twitter.com/aJbZHMc2jp — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026 Following their talks, PM Modi wrote on his social media handle X, “It was a pleasure hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. His visit has infused new momentum into India–Germany ties, …

PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz review India-Germany ties in Gandhinagar

PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz review India-Germany ties in Gandhinagar

Published by Webster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar on Monday, focusing on enhancing cooperation across various sectors.  Chancellor Merz arrived in India early on Monday on a visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Germany. The two leaders are expected to have reviewed the progress made in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which has recently completed 25 years. Their discussion also focused on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also advancing collaboration in important domains of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, witnessing the colour, energy and cultural vibrancy of the annual event. PM Modi and Chancellor Merz were accorded a warm reception on their arrival at the venue and were presented with traditional Gujarati scarves as a mark of welcome. The atmosphere was festive as …

From Defence To Critical Technologies: List Of MoUs Signed By PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz | India News

From Defence To Critical Technologies: List Of MoUs Signed By PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz | India News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 15:54 IST German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shared a car ride with PM Modi on his first visit to India as the two leaders underscored the growing warmth in India-Germany relations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat. (PMO) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on his first visit to India. The two leaders held talks on bilateral ties, regional and global issues, and signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on several areas ranging from defence, critical and emerging technologies, to sustainable development. Speaking at a press conference, Merz said, “PM Modi invited me to visit his home state of Gujarat. I express my heartfelt gratitude for this gesture. It shows the deep ties between our countries and your personal friendship towards me. This city, in many ways, is the cradle of modern India, where Gandhi started his non-violent freedom struggle. Gujarat also has impressive economic dynamics.” Prime Minister Modi also emphasised the importance of close economic cooperation between India and …

Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy unites India and Germany, says Chancellor Merz

Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy unites India and Germany, says Chancellor Merz

Published by Webster

On his first visit to India, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Mahatma Gandhi`s legacy unites Indians and Germans as friends and his teachings are more needed today than ever. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Merz visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad in the morning and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. PM Modi, who reached the ashram a few minutes earlier, welcomed the German Chancellor upon his arrival. After paying floral tributes at the statue of the Father of the Nation, both leaders visited `Hriday Kunj`, a room inside the ashram where Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba lived during India`s freedom struggle. At the ashram, Merz also witnessed how khadi yarn is woven using the `charkha`, or spinning wheel. Mahatma Gandhi spun yarn on the charkha as part of his campaign to promote khadi and self-reliance during India`s struggle for independence. In a note in the ashram visitors` book, Merz stated, “Mahatma Gandhi`s unshakeable belief in the power of freedom and dignity of each and every individual inspires us to this day. This …

PM Modi, Merz share festive moments at Gujarat’s International Kite Festival

PM Modi, Merz share festive moments at Gujarat’s International Kite Festival

Published by Webster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat`s Ahmedabad, witnessing the colour, energy and cultural vibrancy of the annual event.  The International Kite Festival is held every year in Gujarat during January to mark Uttarayan, a significant period in the Hindu calendar that symbolises the sun`s northward journey and the beginning of the summer season. The festival attracts participants and visitors from across India and around the world. PM Modi and Chancellor Merz were accorded a warm reception on their arrival at the venue and were presented with traditional Gujarati scarves as a mark of welcome. The atmosphere was festive as artists and performers from different parts of the state showcased traditional dance forms and folk music to greet the visiting German leader and celebrate the spirit of the occasion. Both leaders later joined the celebrations by flying kites, fully immersing themselves in the festivities. The Prime Minister was seen flying a specially designed kite bearing the message `Bharat — …

Modi welcomes German Chancellor Merz to Sabarmati Ashram on first official India visit| India News

Modi welcomes German Chancellor Merz to Sabarmati Ashram on first official India visit| India News

Published by Parlour News

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warmly welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader’s first official visit to India since taking office. Commuters ride past a billboard featuring India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of their visit, along a street in Ahmedabad on January 10, 2026. (AFP) After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors’ book there. Both leaders then participated in the International Kite Festival 2026, held at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz’s visit to India. The visit is part of Chancellor Merz’s official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany, and coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit to the country since assuming …

German Chancellor Merz to visit India next week, hold talks with PM Modi

German Chancellor Merz to visit India next week, hold talks with PM Modi

Published by Webster

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be on two day official visit to India, beginning January 12 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Merz is scheduled to hold talks with PM Modi in Ahmedabad, and both leaders will participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront. This will be followed by bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, according to the statement released by the Prime Minister`s Office. This will be Chancellor Merz`s first official visit to India. In a statement, the Prime Minister`s Office stated, “The two leaders will review the progress made in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which has recently completed 25 years. Their discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also advancing collaboration in important domains of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.” The two leaders will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance, as well as engage with business and industry leaders of India and Germany. …