PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz to Visit Sabarmati Ashram, Join Kite Festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit the historic Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad during the Chancellor’s two-day visit to India beginning January 12 .

The visit is aimed at giving fresh momentum to India–Germany relations , particularly in the area of defence cooperation, ahead of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) scheduled to be held in Germany later this year. This will be Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India and his inaugural trip to Asia since assuming office.

According to sources, the two leaders will pay homage at Sabarmati Ashram on Monday morning. The ashram, closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and India’s freedom struggle, symbolises the country’s foundational values of non-violence, democracy and peaceful resistance. The visit is seen as a gesture of respect for India’s historical legacy and an assertion of shared democratic ideals.

Following the ashram visit, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will join the ongoing Uttarayan celebrations by participating in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront , blending cultural diplomacy with high-level political engagement.

“The German Chancellor’s visit holds high significance as it is taking place ahead of the Inter-Governmental Consultations, which are expected to provide a comprehensive roadmap for bilateral cooperation,” sources said, adding that the early engagement would help align priorities and set the tone for substantive outcomes at the IGC.

Delegation-level talks will be held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar , followed by a joint press statement. Chancellor Merz is also likely to visit GIFT City, where German investments, including the expanding operations of Deutsche Bank, are gaining traction.

Defence cooperation is expected to take centre stage during the discussions. Sources pointed out that Germany has removed around 110 of the 130 defence items from its export control list, a move seen as a major step towards deeper strategic trust and collaboration. However, a submarine deal for the Indian Navy is unlikely to be finalised during this visit.

“Defence cooperation has reached a new level of trust, with Germany’s export control relaxations enabling significant progress,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the talks will also cover trade, investment, technology, education, mobility, innovation and green development.

The visit, which includes a leg in Bengaluru , is taking place outside the regular IGC framework, underscoring the priority both countries are placing on strengthening their strategic partnership.