Merz expects US to participate in tighter NATO security for Greenland

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he expects the United States to take part in a stronger NATO presence to improve Greenland's security, as a transatlantic row looms over control of the huge Arctic territory, reported dpa.

In comments made on Monday during his visit to India, Merz said: "We share the US concerns that this part of Denmark needs better protection."

"We simply want to improve Greenland's security situation together. And I assume the Americans will also take part in this."

His comments come as Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is in Washington for talks with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio.

Merz said he hopes for an amicable solution within NATO. As for the extent of any US contribution, "that will be shown by talks in the coming days and weeks."

Several NATO states such as the United Kingdom had recently spoken in favour of expanding the alliance's presence in the Arctic.

A proposal envisages a monitoring mission called "Arctic Sentry" according to diplomats. It is intended to deprive the US of the argument that security in the strategically important region cannot be sufficiently guaranteed.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that his country must take ownership of Greenland for US security reasons. He has not ruled out acquiring the frozen island by force.

German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Kingbeil, also in the US capital for talks on Monday, said on Sunday before leaving that the US should respect international law and territorial sovereignty.

Greenland, with its population of under 57,000, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but enjoys considerable autonomy, except in the areas of defence and foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Germany and India aim to expand their cooperation in the defence sector, with a corresponding declaration of intent signed by their defence ministries during Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to the Indian city of Ahmedabad on Monday.

Merz was welcomed earlier by Modi in what is his home region, where they first visited a place linked to national hero Mahatma Gandhi

Germany's TKMS to build submarines in India

Contracts for specific projects were not initially concluded, but India plans to build six submarines in collaboration with the German company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Mumbai, valued at €8 billion ($9.34 billion).

The signing of an agreement on this is expected shortly and could pave the way for further cooperation.

According to the latest statistics from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India is considered the world's largest arms importer.

Between 2019 and 2023, the country sourced 36% of its armaments from Russia, although the trend is declining. German arms exports to India could therefore also reduce India's dependency on Russia.

A total of 27 agreements signed

In total, 27 declarations of intent and announcements were signed on the sidelines of the talks between Merz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - ranging from cooperation in the extraction of rare earths to the promotion of hockey talent in both countries and the recruitment of skilled workers for the German health-care system.

The recruitment of skilled workers from India has already been advanced by previous governments.

According to the Federal Employment Agency, the number of Indians employed in regular jobs in Germany has risen from just under 25,000 in 2015 to nearly 170,000 in 2025.