1 day ago
Last Updated:January 06, 2026, 21:23 IST
Friedrich Merz will pay an official visit to India from January 12 to 13, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Image via X/@narendramodi)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit India from January 12 to 13, marking his first official visit to the country and inaugural trip to Asia. He will be received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, where they will visit the iconic Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
Their discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, and defence, with Germany having removed around 110 defence items from its export control list. This move is expected to boost defence ties between the two countries. The leaders will also engage with business and industry leaders, exchanging views on regional and global issues.
Chancellor Merz will also visit GIFT City, where German investments are expanding, and Bengaluru as part of his two-day visit.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the two leaders will pay homage at Sabarmati Ashram on Monday morning. They will then join the ongoing Uttarayan celebrations by participating in the Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
“German Chancellor’s visit holds high significance as it is being held ahead of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), which is scheduled to be held in Germany later this year," sources emphasised.
Delegation-level talks will be held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, followed by a joint press statement. Chancellor Merz is also likely to visit GIFT City, where German investments, including Deutsche Bank’s operations, are expanding.
Defence ties will take centre stage, with sources indicating major discussions expected in this domain. Germany has removed around 110 out of 130 defence items from its export control list, paving the way for deeper collaboration with India.
However, sources underlined that a submarine deal for the Indian Navy is unlikely during this visit.
The second leg of the chancellor’s visit is to Bengaluru.
First Published:
January 06, 2026, 21:23 IST
News world PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz To Visit Sabarmati Ashram, Join Kite Festival: Defence Ties To Get Big Boost
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