Overview
- The PMO confirmed that Narendra Modi and Friedrich Merz will visit Sabarmati Ashram on January 12 before participating in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront and holding bilateral talks at Mahatma Mandir.
- Discussions will review the India–Germany Strategic Partnership and focus on trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, defence and security, science and innovation, green development, and people-to-people ties.
- Chancellor Merz’s trip on January 12–13 is his first official visit to India, with both sides also set to exchange views on regional and global issues and engage with business leaders.
- A senior official said IKF 2026 will feature 1,071 participants, including 135 international flyers from 50 countries, with representation from Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Jordan, Australia, Indonesia, Chile, Colombia and the Republic of Korea.
- Modi’s three-day Gujarat visit from January 10–12 includes Somnath ceremonies, the Vibrant Gujarat regional conference in Rajkot, and inauguration of the remaining Phase 2 stretch of the Ahmedabad Metro from Sector 10A to Mahatma Mandir.