PM Modi, Friedrich Merz Add Colour to Ahmedabad’s International Kite Festival
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and later joined German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in flying kites, adding a colourful diplomatic touch to the event.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram before proceeding to the riverfront, where the Gujarat government is hosting the annual festival.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz fly a kite at the International Kite Festival 2026 at Sabarmati Riverfront.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/P7emVdTHv1
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026
According to a state government release, the International Kite Festival 2026 has drawn 135 international kite flyers from 50 countries, along with nearly 1,000 kite enthusiasts from across India. Over the past two days, participating kite artists have showcased their skills in cities including Rajkot, Surat, Dholavira in Kutch, and at the Statue of Unity in Narmada district, delighting visitors at each destination.
The festival in Ahmedabad will continue until January 14. Last year’s edition recorded over 3.83 lakh visitors across Gujarat, and authorities expect more than five lakh tourists to visit the state this year.
Through the International Kite Festival, Gujarat Tourism aims to promote the state’s cultural heritage and major tourist attractions, including Dholavira and the Statue of Unity, reinforcing Gujarat’s position as a global cultural destination.
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