Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for entire world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the growing momentum in India-Germany ties, underscoring the importance of deeper economic cooperation between the two countries as German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his two-day official visit to India.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Chancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs. Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world. Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, several German companies are investing in India. We want to deepen economic linkages even further in the times to come.”
PM Modi wrote, “Strong ties between India and Germany benefit the people of our nations and contribute to a better planet. Today’s outcomes reflect the multifaceted cooperation between our nations.”
Chancellor Merz arrived in India early in the day on a two-day official visit at the invitation of PM Modi, as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.
As part of the day’s engagements in Gujarat, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz visited the historic Gandhi Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, where they paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and offered homage to the Father of the Nation.
During the visit, the two leaders toured Hriday Kunj, Mahatma Gandhi’s residence within the Ashram, and observed the process of spinning the charkha.
The visit was followed by a cultural programme, with PM Modi and Chancellor Merz jointly inaugurating the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
Visuals from the event showed both leaders interacting with participants and flying kites together.
The festival will run for three days and conclude on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries, along with 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat.-TIN Bureau