US EditionKites and Diplomacy: PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz Elevate Ties at Ahmedabad Festival
The festival features 1,071 kite flyers from 50 countries and highlights Indo-German cultural ties during Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India.
- On January 12, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad as Merz began his two-day official visit.
- During the Gandhi Ashram visit, Modi showed Merz Hriday Kunj and the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust said Merz wrote in the visitors' book in German.
- The event features participation from 135 international kite flyers representing 50 countries, plus 65 participants from across India and 871 local flyers from Gujarat, while visuals showed both leaders flying kites together amid a colour blast.
- At Mahatma Mandir, talks set to begin at 11.15 am will review the India‑Germany Strategic Partnership, followed by delegation-level talks and a joint press statement, officials said.
- The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit builds on sustained high-level engagements and will explore cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education and skilling, defence and security, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Sabarmati Ashram on Monday, the former residence of the independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. However, entering the residence is only allowed without shoes.
Times of India
The Economic TimesPM Modi, German Chancellor Merz fly Hanuman kite at Ahmedabad: Watch
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, flying a kite featuring Lord Hanuman. This cultural exchange marked Merz's first official visit to India, highlighting the warmth in diplomatic ties ahead of key bilateral talks on trade, technology, and green growth.
Friedrich Merz has arrived to visit India for several days. The chancellor wants to strengthen economic and political relations with the country. Heikle's topic is probably the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow.
Federal Chancellor Merz was received by Prime Minister Modi at the start of his trip to India.
PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz inaugurate International Kite Festival 2026 in Ahmedabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz started their Ahmedabad visit with tributes at the Gandhi Ashram before inaugurating the International Kite Festival 2026 on the Sabarmati Riverfront.
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