German leader joins PM Modi for kite festival today

Strengthening the diplomatic bond between two major global powers, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport today to kickstart his two-day official tour of India. This marks Merz’s first state visit to the country since assuming office, highlighting the growing importance of Berlin's relationship with New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the invitation for this significant diplomatic exchange. The schedule for today, January 12, is packed with both cultural immersion and high-level strategic dialogue.

Cultural Start to Diplomatic Talks

Before diving into heavy political discourse, the day begins with symbolic gestures. Around 9:30 am, PM Modi will host the German leader at the historic Sabarmati Ashram, offering a glimpse into India's freedom struggle. Following this, the atmosphere will turn festive as both leaders are set to participate in the vibrant International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront at 10 am.

Focus on Strategy and Defense

Formal bilateral engagements are scheduled to commence from 11:15 am at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Discussions will likely cover a broad spectrum of topics, reviewing the progress of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Key areas of focus include:

• Expanding cooperation in defense and security.
• Enhancing trade, investment, and technology exchange.
• Collaborating on green sustainable development and innovation.
• Promoting education, skilling, and workforce mobility.

Building on Global Momentum

This visit builds upon previous high-level interactions, including discussions held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where PM Modi originally invited Chancellor Merz to India.

With the India-EU Summit scheduled for later this month on January 27, today’s meeting serves as a crucial precursor. Business leaders from both nations will also engage with the heads of state, aiming to create a forward-looking roadmap that benefits both economies and the wider global community.

German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, recently emphasized that defense and security cooperation has grown significantly over the years, setting a positive tone for this landmark visit.