PM Modi Welcomes German Chancellor to Sabarmati Ashram

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited India for the first time on January 11, 2026. He was welcomed warmly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Again, this was Merz’s first official visit to the country after taking office.

Both leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi after the German official’s arrival at the Sabarmati Ashram. This was followed by Merz signing the visitors’ book in the same location.

Modi and Merz’s Activities for the Day

Both PM Modi and Friedrich Merz visited the International Kite Festival 2026 after the earlier events. The festival is currently being organized at the Sabarmati riverfront. This, once again, underscores the diplomatic and cultural significance of the German Chancellor’s visit to India.

His visit is also related to the bilateral ties between India and Germany. The collaboration also coincides with celebrations marking the 75-year diplomatic relations between the two nations, and 25 years of the historic India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

For the unversed, Merz is in India for a 2-day official visit. He was reportedly received warmly by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the airport upon his arrival in the western state.

MEA’s Special Gesture for Friedrich Merz

Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien!

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz @Bundeskanzler has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport.

India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of… pic.twitter.com/Qw4ZkQ0FpP — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 12, 2026

The official X account of the Ministry of External Affairs shared a special tweet upon Merz’s arrival in India. It read, “Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien! Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz's visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership.”

Discussions Between Modi and Merz

According to the latest reports, PM Modi and Merz will also hold bilateral engagements from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Then, they will review the latest progress on the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. As mentioned earlier, the partnership recently marked its 25th anniversary.

Their discussion will also focus on intensifying cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment, skilling and mobility, technology, and education. The collaboration will also advance in key areas of defence and security, innovation and research, science, green and sustainable development, and other relevant people-to-people ties.