German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reached Ahmedabad on Sunday night on his first visit to India. He started this two-day tour with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the leaders visited Sabarmati Ashram and then participated in the International Kite Festival, where Chancellor Marz also flew a kite.
Welcome at Ahmedabad Airport
Chancellor Frederick Merz arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Sunday night. This visit is taking place at a time when India and Germany want to further strengthen strategic, economic and security cooperation.
Meeting PM Modi in Ahmedabad
Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Modi met in Ahmedabad. Under the program, both the leaders first visited Sabarmati Ashram and then participated in the International Kite Festival organized at Sabarmati Riverfront.
#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
Formal talks will start from today
Formal talks between the delegations of the two countries will begin at 11:15 am on Monday at the Mahatma Temple. In these meetings, the progress of India-Germany strategic partnership, which has completed 25 years, will be reviewed.
What issues will be discussed
According to officials, special attention will be paid to issues like trade and investment, new technology, education, movement of people, defense and security cooperation in the talks. Apart from this, science, research, innovation, green development and people-to-people relations will also be discussed.
Received invitation to visit India in G7 meeting
The last meeting of Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz took place during the G7 summit. In the same meeting, PM Modi had invited him to visit India, after which this tour was decided.
Visit before India-EU summit
This visit of the German Chancellor is taking place before the India-European Union summit to be held on January 27. Germany is an important partner of India within the European Union, especially in the areas of construction, clean energy and defense cooperation.
