India's diplomacy, 12 to 18 January 2026

3 developments with 2 countries, from Ministry of External Affairs publications. Each links to its source.

Monday, 12 January

Agreement Germany
India and Germany sign agreements on defence industry, semiconductors and critical minerals
Documents concluded during Chancellor Merz's visit included Joint Declarations of Intent on defence industrial cooperation, a CEO Forum, a semiconductor ecosystem partnership, critical minerals and telecommunications, a green ammonia offtake agreement between AM Green and Uniper, and an Indo-German Roadmap on Higher Education. Announcements included visa free transit for Indian passport holders transiting through Germany.
Source: List of Outcomes: Visit of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany to India (January 12-13, 2026), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Visit Germany
Chancellor Merz makes first official visit to India; leaders hold talks in Ahmedabad
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid an official visit to India from 12-13 January 2026, his first official visit to India and first visit to Asia as Chancellor, with 23 German CEOs. He held talks with Prime Minister Modi in Ahmedabad on 12 January 2026. The leaders welcomed a new Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue.
Source: India - Germany Joint Statement (January 12, 2026), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

Consular Iran
India advises its nationals to avoid travel to Iran until further notice
In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs again strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice, referring to its earlier advisory issued on 5 January 2026.
Source: Advisory for Indian nationals regarding travel to Iran, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

Each summary is taken from the MEA publication it links to. How we verify