Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad on Monday, marking the Chancellor's inaugural official visit to India. The visit, packed with cultural symbolism and substantive diplomacy, began with a shared experience at the vibrant International Kite Festival.
A Colourful Start at the Sabarmati Riverfront
The two leaders were seen actively participating in the festivities at the Sabarmati Riverfront, flying kites and engaging with participants. The event, a visual spectacle ahead of Makar Sankranti, attracted kite enthusiasts from across India and the globe. The festival, which concludes on January 14, features a significant international contingent, including 135 flyers from 50 nations, alongside 65 participants from various Indian states and 871 local flyers from Gujarat.
Prior to the festival, PM Modi personally welcomed Chancellor Merz at the historic Sabarmati Ashram, setting a reflective tone for the engagement. Merz had arrived in India on Sunday for his two-day official tour from January 12 to 13.
Strategic Talks to Review and Strengthen Ties
The core of the diplomatic engagement is scheduled for Tuesday, with bilateral talks set for 11:15 am at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The leaders are poised to conduct a comprehensive review of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The agenda is broad and forward-looking, focusing on several key areas of cooperation:
- Enhancing trade, investment, and technological collaboration.
- Advancing partnerships in defence, security, and green sustainable development.
- Boosting cooperation in science, innovation, research, and education.
- Strengthening people-to-people ties through skilling and mobility initiatives.
PM Modi and Chancellor Merz will also exchange perspectives on pressing regional and global issues and interact with business leaders from both countries. The visit is strategically timed ahead of the India-EU Summit on January 27 and aims to build on the momentum from their last meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada.
Focus on Defence and Future Collaboration
German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann recently highlighted the growing strategic partnership, particularly in defence and security. Chancellor Merz's itinerary for January 13 includes visits to the Bosch facility and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) in Bengaluru before his departure, underscoring the focus on technology and innovation.
This high-level visit is expected to reaffirm the shared commitment between India and Germany to a robust, multifaceted, and future-oriented partnership, driving collaboration in critical sectors for the years to come.
