INDIA GERMANY TIES

INDIA GERMANY TIES

Context: High-Level Talk Between India and Germany

• On May 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• They discussed bilateral relations, regional and global developments, and reaffirmed a joint stance against terrorism.
• Chancellor Merz is the leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and took office earlier in May 2025.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONVERSATION

a. Congratulations & Strategic Partnership

• PM Modi congratulated Merz on becoming Chancellor.
• Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which has seen 25 years of robust growth.

b. Commitment to Fighting Terrorism

• Both sides “stood united in combating terrorism in all forms”, as per official statements.
• They reiterated the importance of coordinated global efforts to counter terrorism and safeguard democratic values.

c. Areas of Future Cooperation Identified

• The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in:
  • Trade and Investment
  • Defence and Security
  • Innovation and Technology

d. Diaspora & People-to-People Ties

• They acknowledged the positive contribution of the Indian diaspora in Germany, which acts as a cultural and economic bridge.

e. Invitation Extended

• PM Modi invited Chancellor Merz to visit India, and both agreed to stay in close touch moving forward.

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

• India and Germany have a Strategic Partnership since 2001, further elevated through the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC)
• Key pillars include:
  • Economic partnership: Germany is India’s largest trading partner in the EU.
  • Defence collaboration
  • Green energy and climate cooperation
  • Education and research: Large Indian student community in Germany
• Both share democratic values, rule of law, and seek a rules-based international order.

STAND ON TERRORISM

• Terrorism remains a common concern:
  • India faces cross-border terrorism, particularly from Pakistan-based groups.
  • Germany is concerned with homegrown radicalization and international terrorism, including from the Middle East and extremist ideologies.
• A joint approach enhances intelligence sharing, capacity building, and multilateral anti-terror cooperation.

INDIA V/S GERMANY (ELECTORAL & POLITICAL SYSTEMS)

India’s Electoral System

• Type: First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)
• Constituencies: 543 Lok Sabha seats; one MP elected per constituency.
• Voting Process:
  • Conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
  • Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used.
  • Voters’ fingers are ink-marked to prevent multiple voting.
• Government Formation:
  • The party or coalition with majority (272+ seats) forms the government.
  • Its leader becomes the Prime Minister.
• Type: Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP)
• Voting Structure:
  • Two Votes:
    1. First vote: For a local candidate (FPTP style) – 299 seats.
    2. Second vote: For a party list (proportional) – determines total share in 630-member Bundestag.
  • Threshold: Parties need at least 5% of the vote or 3 direct seats to enter Parliament.
  • This system ensures local representation + proportional fairness.

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