Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz take diplomacy to the skies at the International Kite Festival in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: Kites, colour and camaraderie defined Monday morning at the Sabarmati Riverfront as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the International Kite Festival 2026. Sharing an open vehicle, the leaders tried their hand at kite-flying, drawing cheers from spectators. What followed was a sweeping visual of global participation, with kitists from over 50 countries filling the skyline. The event blended diplomacy, tradition and spectacle into a single, soaring narrative.The two leaders moved through the festival arena, pausing to steady their kites against strong gusts and exchanging smiles with cheering spectators. At one point, they stopped to interact with a kitist team from Germany, underscoring the cultural connect the event seeks to foster.The high-profile inauguration followed the leaders’ visit to Sabarmati Ashram, where they paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. As Modi and Merz arrived at the Riverfront, the sky filled with colour as more than 300 kitists from across India and 50 other countries sent their creations aloft. The display included kites depicting Lord Hanuman, the Indian national flag, and themes such as Operation Sindoor and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), alongside large-tailed kites carrying messages like “#GUJARAT IKF2026”, “Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi”, “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “I Love Modi”.The welcome was marked by a specially curated cultural programme, highlighted by an Indo-German musical symphony performed by 108 musicians. The ensemble greeted the German delegation with a traditional German tune rendered using classical Indian instruments, including the sitar, flute and tabla, blending musical traditions from both countries.Adding a strong local flavour to the event was a life-size replica of a pol, the traditional neighbourhood of Ahmedabad’s Unesco World Heritage-listed Walled City. The installation recreated narrow lanes, “otla” (outdoor seating space) or extended verandas, and characteristic house facades, with a giant “chabutaro” (bird feeder) forming the centrepiece. Prime Minister Modi guided Chancellor Merz through the makeshift pol, showcasing the craft of kite-making and tracing the history of kite-flying in India through exhibits, dioramas and live demonstrations by artisans.From the Riverfront promenade, the leaders also took in views of the Sabarmati as fireworks and colourful smoke displays were set off on the opposite bank, adding to the festive atmosphere. The broader cultural showcase included music and performances that reflected India’s regional diversity, reinforcing the festival’s role as a meeting point of traditions.For participants, the event remains a unique platform. Kitist Paavan Solanki from Ahmedabad said the International Kite Festival had expanded steadily in both scale and reputation. “The gathering allows kitists from different countries to interact and learn about new ideas and techniques from each other. Ahmedabad has emerged as a global destination for kite enthusiasts because of its enthusiastic crowd and deep-rooted kite culture,” he said.Large numbers of citizens lined the Sabarmati Riverfront to witness the spectacle of kites filling the sky. The festival is open to the public on Jan 12 and Jan 13, with Jan 13 marking the first-ever celebration of night Uttarayan, adding a new dimension to one of Gujarat’s most cherished festivals.