International Kite Festival 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opened the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront. The event highlighted both cultural celebration and friendly ties between the two countries.
Photos and videos from the festival show the leaders meeting participants and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Both PM Modi and Chancellor Merz even flew kites together, sharing a moment of fun and cultural exchange.
International Kite Festival 2026: Dates, Participation, and Highlights
With Makar Sankranti just a few days away, the festival will run for three days, concluding on January 14. Key participation details include:
-
135 international kite enthusiasts from 50 countries
-
65 flyers from across India
-
871 local participants from Gujarat
The festival continues to be one of the most anticipated kite events globally, combining tradition with international engagement.
PM Modi Welcomes Chancellor Merz at Sabarmati Ashram
Before the festival inauguration, PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz at Sabarmati Ashram, where the leaders:
-
Paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi
-
Merz signed the visitors’ book
This marked a symbolic gesture connecting India’s heritage with ongoing diplomatic dialogue.
India-Germany Relations
Chancellor Merz’s visit is part of his first official trip to India, aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations. This visit coincides with:
-
75 years of diplomatic relations
-
25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership
During the visit, both leaders will review progress on the Strategic Partnership, focusing on:
-
Trade and investment
-
Technology, education, and skilling
-
Defence and security cooperation
-
Science, innovation, and research
-
Green and sustainable development
-
People-to-people ties
On January 12, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz will hold bilateral talks at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, from 11:15 am onwards. Discussions will emphasize further intensifying collaboration across strategic sectors.
Chancellor Merz’s Itinerary in India
Chancellor Merz’s two-day visit includes:
-
January 13: Visits to Bosch and Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE)
-
Departure for Germany later in the day
This visit follows their earlier discussions at the G7 Summit in Canada, where PM Modi invited Chancellor Merz to an official visit to India. It also leads up to the India-EU Summit on January 27.
