Diplomacy with a Cultural Touch: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Meets PM Modi, Flies Kites

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad as Merz began a two-day official visit to India, marked by cultural events and high-level talks aimed at boosting the India-Germany Strategic Partnership across security, economy, clean technology and mobility ahead of the India–EU Summit on January 27.

Merz arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Sunday night, starting his maiden India trip. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat welcomed Merz at the airport, reflecting India’s focus on regional outreach as New Delhi and Berlin seek deeper cooperation in strategic, economic and security fields during the January 12-13 visit.

India-Germany strategic partnership showcased through culture and diplomacy

The visit opened with a strong cultural signal. Modi and Merz jointly toured Sabarmati Ashram, associated with Mahatma Gandhi, before heading to the Sabarmati Riverfront. There, both leaders joined the International Kite Festival, using the public event to highlight people-to-people links within the wider India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

The ceremonial moments were matched by online messages. The Ministry of External Affairs shared a welcome post, stating: “Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien!Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz @Bundeskanzler 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 pic.twitter.com/Qw4ZkQ0FpP— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 12, 2026” This underlined 75 years of diplomatic ties.

India-Germany strategic partnership talks at Mahatma Mandir

Formal discussions between the two leaders are scheduled to start at 11:15 am at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Delegations from both countries are expected to review progress under the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years, and identify new areas for joint work in the coming years.

Officials said talks will cover trade and investment flows, advanced technology cooperation, education links and mobility arrangements. Defence and security issues also feature on the agenda, alongside science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and efforts to deepen people-to-people connections, reflecting the broad scope of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the Chancellor’s arrival through another embed: “#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz arrives at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.He is on an official visit to India from 12-13 January at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/sIqGH7Ewe5— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2026” This confirmed the visit dates and Modi’s formal invitation.

Modi and Merz last held structured talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, where both agreed to broaden their strategic partnership. That meeting led to Modi inviting Merz to India. The current trip comes as India works with Germany, a key European Union partner in manufacturing, clean energy and defence collaboration, ahead of the India–EU Summit on January 27, according to officials and agencies.