Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, January 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
The two leaders participated in the festival as part of Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India, underscoring the blend of cultural celebration and diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Both leaders interacted with participants and were seen enjoying the festivities, including flying kites together.
With Makar Sankranti approaching, the International Kite Festival will be held over three days and conclude on January 14. The event features participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries, along with 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat.
Prior to the festival’s inauguration, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. The two leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, and Chancellor Merz signed the visitors’ book at the Ashram.
Chancellor Merz’s visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany and coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. He arrived in India earlier on Monday for a two-day official visit after assuming office.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Chancellor Merz was received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat upon his arrival in the state. The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
During the visit, the two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. They are expected to review progress in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and discuss ways to further enhance cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility.
The discussions will also focus on advancing collaboration in defense and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.
On January 13, Chancellor Merz is set to visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering before departing for Germany. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where they agreed to broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. The visit also comes ahead of the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27.
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