A Symbolic Visit Marking 25 Years of Strategic Partnership
As part of his three-day Gujarat visit from January 10 to 12, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad on January 12. The two leaders began the day with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram, followed by joint participation in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront — a gesture blending cultural diplomacy with high-level bilateral engagement.
This marked a notable moment in India-Germany relations, coming as the India-Germany Strategic Partnership completed 25 years, providing an opportunity for both sides to take stock of two-and-a-half decades of cooperation across trade, defence, and technology.
Substantive Talks at Mahatma Mandir
Later in the day, the two leaders held detailed bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, where they reviewed the progress made under the strategic partnership and discussed avenues to deepen cooperation further.
Germany has traditionally been one of India's most significant European partners, particularly in manufacturing, renewable energy, and skill development, and the visit's location — Gujarat, a major industrial and manufacturing hub — was seen as reflective of the economic dimension of the relationship.
The visit followed PM Modi's broader Gujarat itinerary, which included the Shaurya Yatra at Somnath Temple and participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra region, positioning the Chancellor's visit within a wider push to showcase Gujarat's investment climate to international partners.
Remember for exams: the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, the venue Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, and the dates of the visit (January 10-12, 2026).
Source: pib.gov.in
