Kumar Bahukhandi
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz with Prime Minister Modi during a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on January 12, 2026. Photo: X/@PTI_News
Merz is scheduled to participate in a kite festival and attend a skill development event in Ahmedabad
Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport early on Monday (January 12, 2026) morning, as he embarks on his first official visit to India.
Also read | As German Chancellor Merz lands in Gujarat, activists demand that Modi ask for Ariha’s return
Shoring up bilateral ties in trade, investment, critical technologies and defense are set to be the focus of wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad today. Besides holding talks with PM Modi, Mr. Merz is scheduled to participate in a kite festival and attend a skill development event in Ahmedabad, according to officials.
The German leader will travel to Bengaluru after concluding his engagements in Ahmedabad.
Read live updates here:
January 12, 2026 10:38
Kites feature motifs of both leaders
January 12, 2026 10:26
International Kite Festival 2026 at Sabarmati
January 12, 2026 10:18
Bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre
The International kite flying festival will be followed by bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar, where both leaders will review the progress made in the India-Germany strategic partnership, which has recently completed 25 years.
In the evening, Modi will join delegation-level talks between the two countries at Mahatma Mandir, followed by a joint press statement, officials said.
The MEA had earlier said Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also engage with business and industry leaders and exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. — PTI
January 12, 2026 10:16
PM Modi, German Chancellor visit Sabarmati Ashram
PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrive at Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
January 12, 2026 10:08
Watch: PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz arrive at Sabarmati Riverfront to attend the International Kite Festival
January 12, 2026 09:55
Wtach: PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz visit Sabarmati Ashram
January 12, 2026 09:31
As German Chancellor Merz lands in Gujarat, activists demand that Modi ask for Ariha’s return
Accusing the German government of violating the human rights and cultural rights of five-year-old Ariha Shah, who was seized from her parents on allegations of abuse four years ago, activists demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take up the matter with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz when they meet on Monday (January 12, 2026). Despite several pleas from New Delhi, the German government has not agreed to India’s request that Ms. Shah, an Indian citizen, be allowed to return to India and to be brought up in foster care here.
The case of Ariha Shah has been raised by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with German counterparts a number of times, and Mr. Modi had discussed it with the previous Chancellor Olaf Scholz. After a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in September 2025, Mr. Jaishankar had said it was “essential” that Ms. Shah “grows up in Indian surroundings”.
As German Chancellor Merz lands in Gujarat, activists demand that Modi ask for Ariha’s return
The visit of German Chancellor Merz to India prompts activists to urge PM Modi to discuss the return of five-year-old Ariha Shah.
January 12, 2026 09:04
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in Ahmedabad, on his first official visit to India
Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport early on Monday (January 12, 2026) morning. He is on an official visit to India from January 12-13 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi will meet Friedrich Merz today in Ahmedabad. This will be Mr. Merz’s first official visit to India.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI )
