NEW DELHI: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday arrived in New Delhi for a visit to India from February 25-26. the German Chancellor  is accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation, and his visit to India is the first standalone one by any German Chancellor since the commencement of the Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) mechanism between India and Germany in 2011.

The ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine crisis are anticipated to be a major topic of discussion during the Modi-Scholz discussions, according to sources familiar with the general agenda. While Europe and its allies struggle to maintain economic pressure on the Kremlin and isolate President Vladimir Putin, Scholz plans to discuss Russia's conflict on Ukraine with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indo-Pacific, a region that has seen rising Chinese aggressiveness in recent years, is another topic that the two leaders are anticipated to discuss in depth.

"Shared values, mutual trust, and understanding serve as the foundation of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The MEA said in the press release that "strong investment and economic links, collaboration in the fields of green and sustainable development, and expanding people-to-people relationships have enhanced bilateral relations.
The MEA added that both countries collaborate closely on multilateral and global platforms, particularly as a member of the G4 for UN Security Council reforms.

Germany and India have a robust commercial relationship. India's greatest trading partner in the EU and one of its top 10 international trading relationships is Germany. One of the biggest foreign direct investors in India is it as well.
Germany wants to assist New Delhi's administration in finding other suppliers because it has a long-standing reliance on Russian defence companies.

"The war in Ukraine has made both sides understand the necessity to explore prospects and collaborations outside their traditional comfort zones and friends." said Swasti Rao, an associate fellow at the Europe and Eurasia Center at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies  and Analyses.

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