大外交｜一口气签27项协议却未提及合建潜艇，德印抱团各怀心思

Core Insights - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to Asia is to India, marking a shift in diplomatic focus [1][4] - The visit resulted in the signing of 27 agreements, including a memorandum on key minerals, healthcare, and AI innovation [1][7] - Merz expressed confidence in strengthening economic ties between India and the EU, anticipating a free trade agreement soon [1][9] Economic Cooperation - The bilateral trade between India and Germany has surpassed $50 billion, with over 2,000 German companies operating in India [4][9] - Germany aims to eliminate tariffs and trade barriers through a potential EU-India free trade agreement, particularly in automotive, machinery, and chemical sectors [10][11] - The trade volume between Germany and India is projected to reach €31 billion (approximately ¥252.1 billion) in 2024 [9] Defense Collaboration - India and Germany are expected to collaborate on building six new-generation submarines, with a total contract value of $8 billion [3][7] - The defense cooperation is seen as a response to regional security concerns, particularly regarding China's military capabilities [8] - The agreement includes technology transfer, allowing India to gain expertise in submarine design and maintenance [7][8] Strategic Context - The visit is interpreted as a response to pressures from the U.S. and a move towards strengthening ties between India and Europe [3][5] - Analysts suggest that the collaboration serves mutual interests, with India seeking advanced technology and Europe looking to enhance its market competitiveness against China [5][8] - The relationship is characterized by a "cooperation, competition, and adversary" framework as defined by the EU's strategy towards China [5]