India, Dec. 10 -- Indian PM Narendra Modi is expected to host Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the third week of January, just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi for a high-profile visit to the South Asian nation, media reports said.

Merz visit could see forward movement on India's plans to buy and build the German Type 214 conventional submarine with air-independent propulsion. Plans involve ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems tying up with Mazgaon Dock to build six vessels at a cost of around $8 billion, StratNews Global reported.

In June this year, Modi met him on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

That was the first meeting between the two leaders since Chancellor Merz assumed office in ...