The nationwide protests that have been going on in Iran for the last two weeks have once again drawn the world’s attention towards the Middle East. This movement, which was born out of the poor economic condition of Iran, is now adamant on ousting the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from power. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has responded to the statement of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in which he said that the Khamenei-led Iranian government is in its last days.

Germany should not speak on the issue of human rights: Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the issue and wrote on X, ‘The German government has no right to raise human rights issues. The reason for this is that Germany has completely destroyed its credibility by adopting double standards in the last few years. When we defeat the terrorists who are killing Iranian people and police officers, the German Chancellor immediately declares that violence is a sign of weakness. Then what does he have to say about Merz’s full support for the mass massacre of 70 thousand Palestinians in Gaza?

Of all governments, the one in Germany is perhaps the worst placed to address “human rights”. The reason is simple: its blatant double-standards over the past years have obliterated any shred of credibility.

When Iran defeats terrorists who kill civilians and police officers,… pic.twitter.com/0tvkFTYecM

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) January 13, 2026

Germany’s speech irrational: Iranian foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi said, ‘Last year Israel bombed homes and businesses in our country, which was highly appreciated by Germany. Our people remember that too. Recently America kidnapped the head of state of a country and Germany remained silent on it. Germany’s speech on human rights is irrational because they themselves have not followed it.

‘Do me a favor, have a little shame’

Taking a dig at the German Chancellor, Abbas Araghchi said, ‘Do us all a favor… have some shame. It would be better if Germany stops its illegal interference in our territories, which also includes supporting genocide and terrorism.

2000 people died in Iran Protest

According to the report of news agency Reuters, about 2000 people were killed in the protests taking place in Iran. Authorities in Iran eased some restrictions on Tuesday (13 January 2026), allowing residents there to make international phone calls via mobile networks for the first time in several days. However, authorities did not restore internet and text messaging services.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on India tour, has made an important announcement for Indian travelers. He said that now Indian citizens will not need to obtain a transit visa to travel to any third country through German airports. This decision will provide direct relief to thousands of Indian travelers who had to go through additional visa process for layover at German airports while going to Europe or America. This decision was formally announced during the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Friedrich Merz.

This step is being considered an important initiative towards strengthening people-to-people contacts between India and Germany. According to experts, this will promote travel, education, trade and cultural exchange between the two countries.

What is transit visa and why was it necessary?

A transit visa is a short-term permit required when a traveler has a stopover at an airport in another country before reaching his final destination. This interruption is called layover. Till now, it was mandatory for Indian citizens to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa while passing through the airports of Germany or other Schengen countries, even if they do not exit the airport. For this, passengers had to submit tickets for onward journey and other necessary documents. Due to which the whole process became complex and time consuming. After this announcement, now Indian citizens will be able to travel without transit visa through the airports of Germany. There will be relief from the long process of visa application. Traveling to Europe, America and other countries will be easy and economical.

Exemption limited to transit travel only

It has been clarified that a tourist, business, student or work visa will still be required to enter Germany. This exemption is limited to transit travel only. Overall, this decision will save time, money and paper formalities.

19 important agreements between India and Germany

After the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, about 19 important agreements were signed between India and Germany. These mainly include defense industrial cooperation. A plan to increase higher education and research cooperation, technical cooperation in the telecommunication sector and promotion of trade and investment has been agreed between the two countries. Apart from this, both the leaders also stressed the need for early finalization of the India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement.

German Chancellor on his first visit to Asia

This is Friedrich Merz’s first visit to Asia after becoming German Chancellor. He reached Ahmedabad with a large business delegation on Monday (January 12, 2026) morning. The focus of his two-day visit is to give a new direction to economic, strategic and cultural cooperation.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on a two-day visit to India on the occasion of completion of 25 years of strategic partnership between India and Germany and 75 years of diplomatic relations. On Monday (January 12), the leaders of both the countries were seen traveling together in a car. During this, a special kind of warmth was seen between the two leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a picture of a car with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Instagram. During this, he said that the friendship between India and Germany is continuously growing due to shared values, extensive cooperation and mutual understanding. On the first day, PM Modi along with Frederick visited the historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Gujarat. Also traveled in an open car on Sabarmati Riverfront. During this, both the leaders also tried to fly kites.

The German Chancellor expressed gratitude on behalf of PM Modi for the invitation to Gujarat. He said, ‘You invited me to visit your home state Gujarat. I thank you wholeheartedly for this special gesture. This is a sign of the deep relations between our two countries. This is also a proof of your friendship towards me.

What did the German Chancellor say about relations with India?

Both the leaders formally participated in delegation level talks, and also held a joint press conference. Frederick described India as his desired and favorite partner. He said that to harness the full potential of economic relations between India and Germany, we need to negotiate a free trade agreement between India and the European Union.

Today’s discussions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz will further energize the India-Germany partnership!@bundeskanzler@_FriedrichMerz pic.twitter.com/9QCGfVWGu3

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026

Both the countries also signed an agreement emphasizing on strengthening cooperation in the defense sector to enhance development, production, innovation and supply chain. During this, Frederick said that both the countries want to strengthen cooperation in their defense industries. It has strategic importance. Both the countries have signed regarding this.

Modi expressed gratitude to German Chancellor for this

PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz’s decision to choose India on his first visit to Asia. He said that this visit shows India’s role in Germany’s strategy. This symbolizes the high level of trust between the two countries. PM Modi said, ‘We have decided to make this seamless economic partnership unlimited. This means that along with traditional economic areas, there will be strong cooperation in strategic areas also. Today we are exchanging a joint declaration in the defense sector.

India-Germany Relation: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be on a visit to India from Monday. According to a report in the Indian Express, the visit by German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann shows the growing importance of India in German foreign policy. During this, Chancellor Marj will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad and visit Sabarmati Ashram. Ackermann said that he has been invited by the Prime Minister himself to visit his city and this invitation to PM Modi’s hometown was a symbol of friendship and warm welcome, which the Chancellor greatly appreciates.

After Ahmedabad, merger will go to Bengaluru

After Ahmedabad, Marj will go to Bengaluru on 13 January. There, he will visit the campus of the Indian Institute of Science and the German company Bosch. The Chancellor is also accompanied by a large business delegation, which includes chief executives of 25 large and medium-sized German companies.

Ackerman said that during this visit, many issues including defence, supply chain, technology, education and skilling will be discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will further strengthen the partnership between the two countries. Apart from this, world politics can also come into play amidst the changing geopolitics. Merz has been on the post of German Chancellor for the last eight months.

Business between the two is continuously increasing

Transactions in services and goods between India and Germany are continuously increasing. By last year, the trade volume between the two reached $50 billion. Ackermann said that this level shows how strongly Germany is connected to India. More than 2,000 German companies operate in India, while about 750 Indian companies have invested in Germany.

Trade between the two countries is largely balanced. Germany has a slight advantage in terms of goods, while India has a slight advantage in terms of services. Ackermann said that with the increasing interest of German companies, further growth is expected with the business. On an average, every week two companies approach the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce to explore possibilities of setting up their business in India.

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Constant efforts are being made to end Russia and Ukraine in war and restore complete peace. The country in NATO Russia and President Vladimir are constantly helping Ukraine to pressurize Putin. Meanwhile, the tone of Germany, which is among Ukraine’s largest arms suppliers, has changed.

German Chancellor Frederick Merge said in an interview, ‘I am bothering me that we European is not in the same situation that we can put enough pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end this war (Ukraine War). Therefore, we are dependent on the help from America. He said, “On the other hand, we are also seeing that today China, India, Brazil and many other countries of the world are also openly standing with Russia and Putin.”

German Chancellor’s statement came after the meeting of Putin-Modi-Jinping

This statement of German Chancellor Frederick Merge has come to light at the annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Sangathan (SCO) held in the city of Tianjin, China, a few days after the meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In such a situation, the statement of the German Chancellor is indicating that NATO with a group of 31 countries has been frightened to see the unity of Russia, India and China.

Donald Trump’s strategy against policy Ric Discussed

During the SCO summit in China, President Jinping met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this time, the three leaders also discussed about the current attitude of America. At the same time, discussed the ban on the ban and heavy tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump.

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After the meeting of Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonski is scheduled to meet the US President on Monday (August 18, 2025). Jailonsky is preparing to meet President Trump at the US capital Washington DC. At the same time, the leaders of France, Germany and Britain are scheduled to meet on Sunday (August 17, 2025) to strengthen the situation of Ukraine, as the pressure from US President Trump is being pressurized to agree on the agreement to end the war on Kiev.

After the meeting of President Trump and Putin in Alaska on Friday (August 15, 2025), there is pressure on the US President that Ukraine arrived on an agreement. At the same time, Putin has indicated that he can leave the small portion of the occupied Ukraine, but will demand a large terrain in return.

Some of Putin’s conditions are making it difficult for Ukraine to agree on an agreement. With this, Europe’s conversation can make the conversation more complicated on ending the deadliest war in the last 80 years. So far more than 1 million people have been killed and injured in the war of Ukraine and Russia.

Coalition of the Willing will have a virtual meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Frederich Merge and British Prime Minister Kir Stmper, who are involved in coalition coalition of the solution of Kiev’s coalition countries, will hold a virtual meeting on the Ukraine issue on 1300 GMT on Sunday (August 17, 2025).

What European countries want for Ukraine

Europe’s forces want a tripartite meeting between Trump, Putin and Jailonski so that Ukraine can also be involved in shaping its future. Apart from this, they want to ensure a strong security guarantee for Ukraine, the role of America is important and if ever needed, the pressure on Russia can be increased.

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