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Modi and Merz Hold Talks in Ahmedabad as German Chancellor Begins First India Visit

The visit underscores a push to broaden a maturing India–Germany partnership across trade, technology, defence, skills and mobility.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ride together in a vehicle during the inauguration of International kite festival in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepare to fly a kiteduring the inauguration of International kite festival in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi fly a kite during the inauguration of International kite festival in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Overview

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz held delegation-level talks at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar to review the strategic partnership and expand cooperation.
  • Merz began the two-day trip with a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and a joint appearance with Modi at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad.
  • Defence cooperation featured in discussions, with media highlighting a proposed submarine project of around €5 billion that remains unconfirmed during this visit.
  • The Chancellor is traveling with a sizable business delegation and will visit Bosch and the Indian Institute of Science’s CeNSE in Bengaluru on January 13.
  • The engagements coincide with 75 years of diplomatic ties and 25 years of the strategic partnership, and come ahead of the India–EU Summit later this month.