Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday rolled out a uniquely Indian welcome for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, blending diplomacy with culture as the two leaders paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram, flew kites on the banks of the Sabarmati River, and held wide-ranging talks aimed at deepening the India–Germany Strategic Partnership.
Chancellor Merz is on his first official visit to India since assuming office, a trip that coincides with 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and 25 years of their strategic partnership. He arrived in Ahmedabad earlier in the day and was received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat before being escorted to the Sabarmati Ashram, where both leaders offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and viewed an exhibition on his life and legacy. Merz also signed the visitors’ book at the historic site.
From the Ashram, the leaders moved to the Sabarmati Riverfront to jointly inaugurate the International Kite Festival, a signature Uttarayan celebration in Gujarat. Amid vibrant folk performances and cheering crowds, Modi and Merz donned traditional scarves and joined the festivities by flying kites. The Prime Minister was seen holding a specially designed kite carrying the message “Bharat – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” reflecting India’s philosophy of the world as one family. Spectators waved Indian and German flags, underscoring the growing people-to-people connect between the two nations.
In a post on X, Modi described Sabarmati Ashram as “a powerful reminder of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals which have given strength to countless people around the world. In Ahmedabad this morning, went to Sabarmati Ashram with the Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Friedrich Merz.”
The cultural engagements were followed by delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. Modi and Merz reviewed progress under the strategic partnership and explored ways to expand cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, defence and security, science and innovation, and green and sustainable development. Regional and global issues of mutual interest also featured in the discussions.
Senior Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, participated in the meeting, reflecting the importance New Delhi attaches to the relationship with Berlin.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit builds on sustained high-level engagement between the two countries and offers an opportunity to reaffirm a shared vision for a forward-looking partnership that benefits both nations and contributes positively to global stability.
