Merz kicks off first official India visit in Ahmedabad
Merz kicks off first official India visit in Ahmedabad
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz begins a two-day visit to India, meeting PM Modi in Ahmedabad, visiting Sabarmati Ashram and the Kite Festival, as bilateral talks push trade, tech and defense ties.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India for his first official visit, kicking off a two-day schedule that underscores a push to deepen the India-Germany strategic partnership. In Ahmedabad, he will meet Prime Minister Modi to discuss shared goals in trade, technology and defense, building on recent high-level conversations.
The itinerary includes a landmark stop at Sabarmati Ashram, a symbol of India's independence legacy, and a cultural moment at the International Kite Festival. Both stops are aimed at signaling a broader cultural and economic dialogue between the two nations as the two leaders exchange ideas on how to widen cooperation across sectors.
After Ahmedabad, Merz will head to Gandhinagar for bilateral talks that officials say will focus on practical steps to accelerate the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Topics on the table include streamlined trade rules, technology transfers, and defense collaboration, with both sides aiming to translate words into measurable outcomes in the coming years.
The visit marks a significant moment in the evolving ties between India and Germany, reflecting growing interest from European partners to engage with India in a region shaped by rapid growth, security concerns, and a dynamic tech landscape.
