Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the doors of history to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Sabarmati Ashram, offering a direct encounter with Mahatma Gandhi’s transformative legacy. This evocative visit in Ahmedabad set a tone of mutual respect during Merz’s India sojourn.
MEA’s X posts featured evocative images: flowers at Gandhi’s bust, deep reflections on his ideals, and Merz engaging with the charkha—the iconic spinning wheel from where Gandhi ignited the Dandi March revolution.
‘Together honoring Mahatma’s legacy means cherishing common principles,’ read the caption, highlighting the ashram’s role as a global beacon of peace.
The itinerary continued with bilateral discussions at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, appraising the robust India-Germany strategic ties spanning a quarter-century. Conversations spanned boosting trade and investments, advancing technology, reforming education, upskilling workforce, and easing mobility.
Strategic focus areas included defense pacts, R&D synergy, eco-friendly initiatives, and grassroots connections between citizens.
Post-ashram, the leaders enjoyed the Sabarmati Riverfront’s Kite Festival, flying colorful kites that mirrored the uplifting trajectory of their partnership.
Chancellor Merz inscribed in the visitor’s book his admiration for Gandhi’s non-violence doctrine, conviction in freedom’s might, and reverence for individual worth—values that resonate profoundly in today’s turbulent world.
Such interactions not only commemorate history but propel future collaborations, proving Gandhi’s wisdom remains a guiding light for international relations.