AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Monday, marking the Chancellor’s first official bilateral visit to India since assuming office.
Upon arrival at the Ashram, the two leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
German Chancellor Merz Inscribes Visitor’s Book Message at Sabarmati Ashram
Chancellor Merz then signed the visitors’ book. They later jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, blending diplomatic engagement with cultural celebration.
Original German Text
“Mahatma Gandhi’s unerschütterlicher Glaube an die Kraft der Freiheit und an die Würde jedes Menschen inspiriert uns bis heute. Dieses Menschheitserbe verbindet Inder und Deutsche als Freunde in einer Welt, die Gandhi’s Lehre heute wohl nötiger hat denn je.”
English Translation
“Mahatma Gandhi’s unshakeable belief in the power of freedom and the dignity of each and every individual inspires us to this day. This human legacy unites Indians and Germans as friends in a world that may more than ever be in need of Gandhi’s teachings.”
Chancellor Merz’s two-day official visit, from January 12 to 13, coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. He was received upon arrival in Ahmedabad by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat.
“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,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post on X.
At the Kite Festival, the leaders were welcomed with traditional Gujarati scarves. The event featured folk dances and music, showcasing the state’s cultural heritage. Prime Minister Modi flew a kite bearing the message “Bharat – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” while other kites displayed the Tricolour, Hindu deities, and symbols of Indo-German friendship. Large crowds gathered along the riverfront, waving flags of both nations.
VIDEO | Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) attend the International Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront, where kites featuring motifs of both leaders, the flags of strategic partner nations, and Hindu… pic.twitter.com/mSG37min0a
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 12, 2026
The festival, held during Uttarayan, will run until January 14 and features 135 international participants from 50 countries, 65 flyers from across India, and over 870 local participants from Gujarat.
Later, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar from 11:15 a.m. The leaders will review progress under the Strategic Partnership and explore deeper cooperation in areas including trade, investment, technology, education, skilling, mobility, defence, security, science, innovation, and green development.
They are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and interact with business leaders from both countries.
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According to the MEA, the visit builds on regular high-level interactions and provides an opportunity to reaffirm a shared vision for a forward-looking partnership that benefits both nations and the global community.
(With agency inputs)
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