German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Arrives in Ahmedabad for His First Official Visit to India
Friedrich Merz begins official India trip to deepen strategic ties.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ahmedabad on January 12, 2026, marking his inaugural official visit to India since assuming office in May 2025. Invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two-day trip from January 12-13 coincides with celebrations of 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, underscoring the growing importance of bilateral engagement.
The visit commenced with Merz's arrival at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport early in the morning. The leaders' schedule includes a joint visit to the historic Sabarmati Ashram around 9:30 am, followed by participation in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront at approximately 10 am. Formal bilateral discussions are set to begin at 11:15 am at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
Key agenda items focus on reviewing progress and intensifying cooperation across multiple domains, including trade and investment, technology, education, skilling, mobility, defence and security, science, innovation, research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. The leaders will also exchange views on pressing regional and global issues while engaging with prominent business and industry representatives from both nations.
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This visit holds particular significance as Merz's first trip to Asia in his new role and precedes the upcoming India-EU Summit on January 27. Discussions are expected to build momentum from prior high-level interactions, including the G7 Summit in Canada, and aim to advance concrete collaboration in strategic sectors such as clean energy, semiconductors, and defence amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
The high-profile engagements highlight India's rising global stature and Germany's strategic pivot toward deeper ties with New Delhi. The outcome of the talks is anticipated to provide fresh impetus to the bilateral relationship, fostering enhanced economic security and technological partnerships between the two major powers.
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