Ahmedabad: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first visit to India on Monday witnessed the signature “Modi magic” as he received a grand welcome in Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz shared a moment of camaraderie by flying kites together at the Sabarmati Riverfront, symbolically reinforcing the historic and people-centric ties between India and Germany.
India-Germany Relations in a Cultural Context
PM Modi highlighted the deep historical and cultural connections between the two nations. He recalled how Rabindranath Tagore’s works influenced Germany’s intellectual circles, Swami Vivekananda’s philosophies inspired Europe, and Madam Cama first raised India’s freedom flag in Germany, giving India’s independence aspirations global recognition. Modi stated, “Today, we are transforming this historical bond into a modern partnership.”
During the joint media interaction, the Prime Minister emphasized the role of these historical connections in energizing India-Germany relations in contemporary times. Chancellor Merz expressed admiration for the warm welcome and thanked PM Modi for hosting him in his home state of Gujarat.
Visa-Free Transit and Strategic Collaboration
In a key announcement, PM Modi expressed gratitude to Chancellor Merz for agreeing to visa-free transit for Indian citizens traveling via Germany. Modi said, “This will further strengthen people-to-people ties between our countries.”
The PM also highlighted collaborative projects, including:
- Germany’s support for the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat
- Longstanding cooperation in traditional medicine with Gujarat Ayurveda University
- Trilateral development partnerships in countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Malawi, showcasing India-Germany cooperation as a global development model
A new MoU on traditional medicine was signed during the visit, further solidifying bilateral cooperation.
Joint Activities at Sabarmati Riverfront
Both leaders began the day at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram, later spending time at the Riverfront. At the International Kite Festival, Modi and Merz held the kite strings together and flew a Hanuman kite, symbolizing harmony and cultural connection.
The visit concluded with a joint session at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, focusing on deepening India-Germany bilateral relations, with Chancellor Merz affirming his commitment to elevating the partnership to new heights.
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