German Chancellor Merz begins his first state visit to India – DW – 01/12/2026

Merz’s first visit to India as chancellor will include stops in the western city of Ahmedabad and the southern city of Bengaluru.

Here are some interesting facts that may have influenced the German Chancellor’s itinerary:

Ahmedabad

• It is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River in the western state of Gujarat.
• Many consider it the home base of Narendra Modi and a stronghold of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party.
• Frequently used for high-profile domestic and international events
• One of the major industrial and commercial centers of India
• Major hub for many German and international companies

Bengaluru (formerly known as Bengaluru)

• It is often called the Silicon Valley of India.
• Considered to be the earliest and most influential technology center of India.
• Home of many German companies (eg: Siemens, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India on Monday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Merz is scheduled to meet Modi in the western city of Ahmedabad on Monday.

“The two leaders will take stock of the progress made in various aspects of the India-Germany strategic partnership, which completed 25 years last year,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on the visit.

Merz and Modi will discuss deepening cooperation in areas including trade, investment, technology, education and defence.

The German Chancellor is also scheduled to visit the Gandhi Ashram, which was once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and was central to India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

On Tuesday, Merz is visiting Bengaluru (also known as Bengaluru), the center of India’s high-tech industry.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India for a two-day inaugural visit. He landed in Ahmedabad. The largest city in Gujarat state, home to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shortly before 2:00 a.m. local time on Monday.

Modi will officially welcome Merz at the memorial of national hero Mahatma Gandhi in the morning.

To welcome the Chancellor, huge placards with pictures of Merz and Modi have been installed on the streets of the city with a population of 80 lakh. Today both the leaders will participate in the traditional kite festival together.

The festival marks the transition from winter to summer, with thousands of paper kites flying in the sky. Only after this will political talks begin.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting India on a two-day visit, his first visit since becoming chancellor in May 2025.

Merz is scheduled to visit Ahmedabad, the largest city in the western state of Gujarat and the political home base of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The visit, which marks the beginning of Merz’s diplomatic activities this year, comes ahead of the EU-India summit later this month, where a long-awaited free trade agreement is widely expected to be signed.

This blog will bring you all the latest news, videos and analysis related to Merz’s journey. Stay tuned!