German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Gujarat, India, for his first official visit, aiming to enhance the longstanding diplomatic relations between India and Germany. Upon his arrival, Merz was warmly welcomed by Gujarat’s Governor, Acharya Devvrat, at the airport in Ahmedabad. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significance of this visit, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.
Merz is scheduled to engage in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, followed by joint participation in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront. The leaders will further convene for bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, focusing on strengthening cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investment, technology, education, and defense. The visit aims to bolster collaboration in areas like science, innovation, sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.
Ahead of the official meetings, German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, held discussions with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh regarding bilateral security and defense matters, emphasizing areas for potential co-development and co-production of defense equipment. This visit follows a prior meeting between PM Modi and Chancellor Merz during the G20 Summit in South Africa, where both leaders acknowledged the robust ties between their countries, particularly in trade, technology, and innovation.
