Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on January 12, 2026, marking his first official visit to India since taking office.
The two leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, and Merz signed the visitors' book. They also participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, highlighting the cultural exchange during the visit.
Merz was on a two-day official visit to India from January 12 to 13, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Earlier in the day, Chancellor Merz was received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the Ahmedabad airport.
This visit, celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic relations and 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, aims to strengthen bilateral ties. The MEA noted that the meeting between Merz and PM Modi will further enhance India-Germany cooperation.
The leaders later held bilateral talks at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar to discuss cooperation in trade, technology, defence, education, and green development. They also explored regional and global issues and met with business leaders. This visit builds on high-level political exchanges, including a prior meeting at the G7 Summit, and sets the stage for the India-EU Summit on January 27, 2026.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also visited Bengaluru on January 13, 2026, for the second day of his official visit to India. He was welcomed at Kempegowda International Airport by Karnataka Minister M B Patil and senior officials. Merz and his delegation visited Bosch's India headquarters in Adugodi and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science before leaving the city.
Merz visits Sabarmati Ashram, explores Gujarat's heritage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on January 12, 2026, marking his first official visit to India. The two leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, signed the visitors' book, and toured Hriday Kunj, Gandhi’s residence, where they observed the process of spinning the charkha.
Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Secretary M K Das, and other dignitaries were present. Modi and Merz later inaugurated the 2026 International Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront, highlighting the cultural exchange. They were seen interacting with participants and flying kites together, including one depicting Lord Hanuman.
The festival, featuring 135 participants from 50 countries and nearly 1,000 kite enthusiasts from India, continues until January 14. It has attracted over 3.83 lakh visitors in previous years and is expected to draw over 5 lakh this year, boosting tourism in Gujarat's cultural hotspots like Dholavira and the Statue of Unity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also visited the Adalaj Ni Vav stepwell near Gandhinagar, accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The stepwell, built in 1498, is a five-story, intricately carved structure. Later, Merz attended a private event at The House of MG, a heritage hotel in Ahmedabad's Lal Darwaja area.
Bilateral talks at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad during his first official visit to India. The meeting, attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, took place at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
The discussions focused on deepening India-Germany ties, with a review of cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, and defence, as well as exploring collaboration in security, science, innovation, and sustainable development.
PM Modi and Chancellor Merz reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation, highlighted by outcomes from the November 2025 High Defence Committee meeting. They agreed to deepen military-to-military ties through joint exercises, training, and senior official exchanges. They also welcomed Germany’s participation in upcoming naval and air exercises and collaboration on the Eurodrone MALE UAV programme.
A Joint Declaration of Intent for Defence Industrial Cooperation was signed, fostering long-term partnerships, co-development, and co-production of defence platforms. The leaders condemned terrorism, stressed cooperation against terrorist networks, and welcomed progress on counter-terrorism efforts, including the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.
On trade, the leaders noted record bilateral trade exceeding USD 50 billion in 2024 and emphasised the untapped economic potential in sectors like AI, digitalisation, and innovation. They welcomed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the creation of the German-Indian CEO Forum to promote business ties. In technology and innovation, they discussed progress in semiconductor, critical minerals, and telecommunications cooperation. The leaders celebrated the Indo-German collaboration on science, research, and space exploration, and committed to fostering advances in bioeconomy and renewable energy.
On sustainability, they recognised the success of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership and committed to enhancing collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable infrastructure. Both sides welcomed the progress of Triangular Development Cooperation projects in Africa and Latin America. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and emphasised the need for UN Security Council reforms.
In education and cultural exchanges, the leaders noted the growing number of Indian students in Germany and welcomed initiatives to improve job market integration. They also discussed the establishment of Indo-German Centres of Excellence for skilling in renewable energy and the signing of agreements to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers. Finally, they celebrated the growing cooperation in maritime heritage and sports, and agreed to hold the next India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations in 2026.
India-Germany trade hits $50 billion, says PM Modi
At a joint press conference after their meeting, PM Modi highlighted the record-high India-Germany bilateral trade, surpassing $50 billion, and the presence of over 2,000 German companies in India, reflecting strong confidence in the country’s opportunities. He also praised the growing technology cooperation and announced the establishment of the India-Germany Centre of Excellence for innovation and renewable energy.
Chancellor Merz condemned Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters, calling it a sign of weakness. He also reaffirmed the importance of India-Germany economic cooperation, which benefits not only the two countries but humanity as a whole.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude for Merz’s announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens and invited German universities to open campuses in India. He noted that Merz’s visit, coinciding with Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, strengthens the philosophical ties between India and Germany. Both leaders discussed global issues like Ukraine and Gaza, emphasising their united stance against terrorism and commitment to UN Security Council reforms.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between the two countries were also signed during the visit.
Both countries sign joint defence declaration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz engaged with Chief Executive Officers from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum, where PM Modi announced that the two nations have decided to turn their economic partnership into a “limitless” collaboration. He stated, “We have decided to make this seamless economic partnership limitless. This means that along with traditional economic sectors, there will now be deeper cooperation in strategic sectors as well. In the defence sector, we are exchanging a Joint Declaration of Intent today.”
Chancellor Merz’s visit, Modi remarked, reflects India’s importance in Germany’s diversification strategy, highlighting the trust Germany has in India. “Chancellor Merz’s decision to choose India for his first trip to Asia reflects India’s central role in Germany’s diversification strategy and indicates high levels of trust,” Modi added.
The Prime Minister emphasised India’s robust growth, maintaining a rate over 8% driven by reforms in defence, space, mining, and nuclear energy. He also highlighted India’s commitment to reducing compliance burdens and enhancing ease of doing business. “India will further strengthen its cooperation with Germany through stable policies, mutual trust, and a long-term vision,” he assured, inviting German companies to leverage India’s scale and speed.
Modi expressed optimism over the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, expected to open new avenues for trade and investment. “The path is clear for you here. I invite German precision and innovation to combine with India’s scale and speed. You can manufacture in India, take full advantage of domestic demand, and export without any restrictions,” he stated.
Bilateral trade between India and Germany reached $51.23 billion in 2024-25, with Germany being India’s largest trading partner within the European Union. Trade in services rose by 12.5%, reaching a record $16.65 billion. Germany remains a key investor in India, with cumulative FDI of $15.4 billion, including $469 million in 2024-25.
India pushes for resolution in Ariha Shah foster care dispute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the case of Ariha Shah, a five-year-old Indian girl who has been in foster care in Germany since September 2021, during his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The issue centres on the allegations of abuse against Ariha's parents, which were dropped in 2022, but the girl has remained in care since she was seven months old. Modi requested that the matter be resolved quickly and emphasized the importance of ensuring that Ariha is exposed to Indian culture, language, and religion while in foster care.
The case has become a sensitive issue in India-Germany relations, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri describing it as a humanitarian matter rather than a legal one. Misri confirmed that India has been engaging with both the German government in Berlin and the embassy in New Delhi for some time. India has also advocated for Ariha to be raised in an "Indian environment," which includes exposure to Hindi, participation in Indian festivals, and interactions with Indian people in Germany.
India has repeatedly called for Ariha’s repatriation, but the German government has not agreed to these requests. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi have both raised the issue with Germany's leadership, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the past.
The Save Ariha Team, a group campaigning for her return, has also requested that she be taught Hindi, Gujarati, and the Jain religion of her parents, Dhara and Bhavesh Shah. While the parents are allowed to visit her twice a month and Indian officials have had consular access to Ariha, the dispute remains unresolved, with her aunt alleging that the child is being held "against her will."
