Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Modi and Merz to Strengthen India-Germany Ties
Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Merz are going to visit India from January 10 to 12.
They will start in Somnath, where PM Modi will join a big celebration called Somnath Swabhiman Parv.
This event remembers the history of the Somnath temple.
Then, they will go to Ahmedabad, where they will visit the Sabarmati Ashram and join the Kite Festival.
They will also have important talks in Gandhinagar and might visit GIFT City.
The main focus is on making defence cooperation stronger and discussing other important things like trade, technology, and education.
This is Chancellor Merz's first official visit to India and Asia.
While they will talk about many things, a big submarine deal for the Indian Navy is not expected to happen during this visit.
Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit India from January 10 to 12, starting in Somnath for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebration.
They will participate in the Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and visit the Sabarmati Ashram.
Delegation-level talks will be held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, covering trade, investment, technology, education, mobility, innovation, and green development.
Chancellor Merz is likely to visit GIFT City, where German investments, including Deutsche Bank's operations, are expanding.
The visit is significant as it is Chancellor Merz's first official visit to India and Asia, and it marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- What
- Visit to Somnath, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru; participation in various events and talks
- When
- January 10-12
- Where
- Somnath, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
- Why
- To strengthen India-Germany Strategic Partnership and discuss various bilateral issues
- Visiting Leaders
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Visit Duration
- January 10-12
- Key Locations
- Somnath, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
- Main Events
- Somnath Swabhiman Parv, Vibrant Gujarat Regional Summit, Sabarmati Ashram visit, Kite Festival, delegation-level talks, Metro route inauguration
- Focus Areas
- Defence cooperation, trade, investment, technology, education, mobility, innovation, green development, cultural unity
- Significance
- First official visit to India and Asia for Chancellor Merz, 25th anniversary of India-Germany Strategic Partnership
- Defence Cooperation
- Germany removed 110 out of 130 defence items from export control list
