Modi Welcomes German Chancellor Merz at Sabarmati Ashram on First India Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader’s first official visit to India since taking office. The visit began with both leaders paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and signing the visitors’ book at the Ashram.
Following the visit to Sabarmati Ashram, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz attended the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, highlighting the cultural dimension of the high-level engagement.
Chancellor Merz is on a two-day official visit to India aimed at deepening bilateral relations. The visit coincides with the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and Germany and 25 years of their Strategic Partnership.
Later in the day, the two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in Gandhinagar, where they will review progress in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, as well as strengthening collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, green development and people-to-people exchanges.
The leaders are also expected to exchange views on key regional and global issues and interact with business and industry representatives from both countries. The visit builds on recent high-level engagements and aims to reinforce a forward-looking partnership between India and Germany.
Chancellor Merz is also set to visit key research and industrial institutions before concluding his trip.