India, Jan. 12 -- India and Germany on Monday finalised measures to deepen economic and security cooperation, including a roadmap for defence industrial collaboration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz describing the two countries as natural partners in a world grappling with geopolitical upheaval and uncertainty.

Merz, on his first visit to Asia since taking office last year, was accompanied by a large business delegation to emphasise the importance of bolstering economic ties with India amid unpredictability created by US trade policies. During talks with Modi in Ahmedabad, Merz underscored the importance of finalising the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement to drive trade and investment.

The t...