Germany’s visa-free transit for Indians set to boost people-to-people ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed Germany’s decision to allow visa-free transit for Indian citizens, saying the move would significantly strengthen people-to-people connections between the two countries, as per official statements.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Gandhinagar with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, PM Modi expressed gratitude for what he described as a facilitative step that reflects growing mutual trust and cooperation between India and Germany.

According to reports, the Prime Minister said the visa-free transit decision would make travel smoother for Indian citizens and further deepen bilateral engagement beyond trade and strategic ties. He noted that such initiatives play an important role in bringing societies closer and enhancing long-term partnerships.

PM Modi also highlighted that India and Germany are currently witnessing a strengthening of ties across multiple sectors, including defence, security, renewable energy and technology. He reportedly thanked Chancellor Merz for simplifying procedures related to defence trade, stating that both countries would work on a roadmap to expand cooperation between their defence industries.

As per official remarks, the Prime Minister underlined that the timing of Chancellor Merz’s visit was significant, with India and Germany set to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, following the completion of 25 years of strategic partnership last year.

Reports further noted that PM Modi pointed to the strong economic engagement between the two countries, with bilateral trade crossing the $50 billion mark and more than 2,000 German companies operating in India, reflecting long-term confidence in the Indian market.

Highlighting historical ties, the Prime Minister reportedly said that cultural and intellectual exchanges—ranging from Rabindranath Tagore’s influence on German thinkers to Swami Vivekananda’s impact across Europe—continue to form the foundation of the modern partnership.

The visa-free transit announcement, observers say, is expected to add momentum to the expanding India-Germany relationship by making mobility easier and encouraging closer interaction between citizens of both nations.

(This story was taken from syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)