Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], January 12 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar as part of the German leader’s first official visit to India.
The German Chancellor is on a two-day visit coinciding with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership, aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present at the meeting. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation across trade, investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also exploring collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research and sustainable development.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the latter’s first official visit to India since assuming office. Both leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and the German Chancellor signed the visitors’ book.
Following this, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, highlighting the cultural dimension of the visit. They were also seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman.
The visit is expected to build on regular high-level political engagements and reaffirm India and Germany’s shared vision for a forward-looking partnership benefiting both countries and the wider global community. Chancellor Merz is scheduled to visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering on January 13 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 further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. The current visit also takes place ahead of the India–EU Summit scheduled for January 27. (ANI)