Modi and Merz launched the 2026 International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, marking a milestone in India-Germany ties.

On January 12, 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly launched the International Kite Festival-2026 in Ahmedabad by flying a kite with a Hanuman theme at the Sabarmati Riverfront. Nearly 1,000 Indian and local Gujarati flyers attended the event, which celebrated Makar Sankranti and the 25th anniversary of India-Germany's strategic partnership. There were also 135 international participants from 50 countries. The leaders visited cultural sites, held bilateral discussions on trade, defense, green development, and innovation, and honored Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram. Over 500,000 tourists are expected to visit Gujarat this year as a result of the festival, which runs through January 14.