German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Arrives In Ahmedabad, To Hold Talks With PM Modi Today

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 08:10 IST

On his first official visit on January 12 and 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke tradition by starting his Asia tour in India instead of China or Japan.

News18

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz landed in Ahmedabad early Monday morning and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to the state, later in the day.

Soon after his arrival, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared pictures on X and extended a welcome.

“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," he wrote on X.

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 @narendramodi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership," he added.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz And PM Modi’s Meeting

During his first official visit to India on January 12 and 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke with tradition by choosing India as the starting point of his first Asia tour, instead of the usual visits to China or Japan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will begin the day with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram at 9.30 am. At 10 am, the two leaders will take part in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront. From 11.15 am onwards, they will travel to Mahatma Mandir for formal bilateral engagements.

What’s On The Agenda?

Both sides are likely to focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, technology, education, skills and mobility.

Discussions are also expected on expanding collaboration in defence and security, science and innovation, green and sustainable development, and closer people-to-people links.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz are also set to exchange views on key regional and global issues, at a time of growing uncertainty in the international order — from the war in Ukraine to changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and evolving signals from the United States.

The two leaders will also interact with business and industry representatives from both countries, and a number of agreements are expected to be signed during the visit to give practical form to the discussions.

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