PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated in the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront on Monday, highlighting cultural ties and diplomatic engagement between the two countries. This is the German Chancellor's first official visit to India (Pics/X and PTI)
Updated On: 2026-01-12 06:19 PM IST
Compiled by : Tarun Verma
After the inauguration, both the leaders took a ride on the ground in an open vehicle, flying kites (Pic/X)
Above them, kites in all shapes and sizes fluttered. Some saying "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) and others "INDIA", and some strings decorated with messages of love for the Prime Minister (Pic/X)
The three-day International Kite Festival will conclude on Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on January 14. The event will see participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts from 50 countries. In addition, 65 kite flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat will also take part (Pic/X)
PM Modi and Chancellor Merz also visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Monday and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi (Pic/PTI)
After paying floral tributes to the statue of the Father of the Nation, both the leaders visited 'Hriday Kunj', a room inside the ashram where Gandhi and his wife Kasturba lived during India's freedom struggle (Pic/PTI)
