Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader’s first official visit to India since assuming office.
The visit began on a symbolic note, reflecting the shared democratic and cultural values of the two nations.
Upon arrival at the Ashram, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. The German Chancellor also signed the visitors’ book, commemorating his visit to the site closely associated with India’s freedom movement.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz fly a kite at the International Kite Festival 2026 at Sabarmati Riverfront.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/YF4Va86IXj
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026
Following the homage, the two leaders joined the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, a gesture highlighting the cultural dimension of Merz’s visit and the growing people-to-people engagement between India and Germany.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz fly a kite at the International Kite Festival 2026 at Sabarmati Riverfront.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/YF4Va86IXj
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026
Chancellor Merz is in India on a two-day official visit from January 12 to January 13, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. The trip coincides with the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany and 25 years of their Strategic Partnership.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrive at Sabarmati riverfront to participate in the International Kite Festival 2026.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/bkOMLQqtRG
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026
Earlier in the day, the German Chancellor arrived in Ahmedabad, where he was received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat. The Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged his arrival in a post on X, emphasising the significance of the visit.
“Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien! Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat, at the airport. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz’s visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership,” the MEA said.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz are scheduled to hold detailed bilateral talks from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The discussions will include a review of progress under the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and explore avenues to deepen cooperation across key sectors.
The two leaders are expected to focus on expanding collaboration in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also advancing partnerships in defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern and interact with business and industry leaders from both countries.
The visit is seen as an opportunity to build on the momentum generated by frequent high-level engagements and to reaffirm a shared vision for a forward-looking partnership that benefits both nations and the wider international community.
On January 13, Chancellor Merz will visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) before departing for Germany.
Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where they agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, PM Modi extended an invitation to the German leader for an official visit to India.
The visit also comes ahead of the India–EU Summit scheduled for January 27, adding further diplomatic significance to the engagement.
