German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in Ahmedabad on first official visit to India

German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived early Monday morning at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, marking the start of his two-day official visit to India, his first since assuming office and his inaugural trip to the country.

The Chancellor was warmly received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat upon landing shortly before 2:00 a.m. local time. The visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, coincides with celebrations of 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

This high-level engagement underscores deepening ties between the two nations, with bilateral discussions expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, technology, education, skilling, green development, science and innovation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet Chancellor Merz later today in Ahmedabad. The leaders’ itinerary includes a joint visit to the historic Sabarmati Ashram around 9:30 a.m., followed by participation in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront at approximately 10:00 a.m. Bilateral talks will then commence from 11:15 a.m. onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

Chancellor Merz’s choice of Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Modi’s home base in Gujarat, for the opening of his first Asia visit as leader highlights the symbolic and strategic importance of the engagement.

The visit comes amid efforts by both countries to strengthen economic and strategic collaboration, with Germany seeking to bolster business and defence ties with India as global dynamics shift.