Ahmedabad

Patriotism, culture and global camaraderie filled the skies over Ahmedabad on Monday as striking kites themed around Operation Sindoor, the Indian tricolour, and mythological figures soared above the Sabarmati Riverfront during the inauguration of the International Kite Festival (IKF) 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, formally opened the annual festival, turning the riverfront into a vivid celebration where diplomacy blended seamlessly with festivity.

Against a clear blue sky, kites of every conceivable shape and size danced in the breeze—some bearing messages such as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, “INDIA”, and expressions of admiration for the Prime Minister, while others depicted a towering image of Lord Hanuman with his mace, lotus motifs and long-tailed artistic designs. A special pennant highlighting Operation Sindoor drew particular attention, adding a strong nationalistic note to the spectacle.

After inaugurating the festival, Modi and Merz interacted with women artisans, gaining insight into the traditional craft of kite-making. The two leaders later toured the venue in an open vehicle and even tried their hand at flying kites, delighting spectators as they stood side by side, carefully balancing strings against the riverfront winds.

The atmosphere on the ground was just as vibrant. A group of 108 musicians welcomed the German delegation with a unique performance—playing a traditional German tune using classical Indian instruments such as the sitar, flute and tabla, creating a rare fusion of cultures that captivated the audience.

The skies featured a stunning variety of themed kites, including tricolour designs, lotus-shaped creations, and oversized kites emblazoned with slogans like “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, “#GUJARAT IKF2026”, “Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi”, and “I Love Modi”. Several innovative international entries added a global flavour to the event.

This year’s festival has drawn 135 international kite flyers from 50 countries, along with 65 participants from 13 Indian states. Gujarat itself is strongly represented, with 871 kite flyers from 16 districts showcasing their skills and creativity.

Among the participants was Prabhatkumar Pushti from Odisha, who said he has been attending the festival for the past eight years. “This year’s celebration is special because the Prime Minister himself attended,” he said, adding that he felt honoured when Modi and the German Chancellor flew his kite marked ‘#GUJARAT IKF2026’.

Pushti also praised the festival’s smooth organisation and the warm hospitality extended to visitors.

Kite flyers from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, Italy, Japan, Sri Lanka and Türkiye are taking part this year, reinforcing the event’s international character.

To introduce visitors to Gujarat’s cultural richness, the venue also features 25 handicraft stalls and 15 food stalls, offering traditional crafts and regional cuisine.

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Held annually since 1989, the International Kite Festival forms a central part of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) celebrations, drawing master kite makers and flyers from across the globe and transforming Ahmedabad’s skies into a canvas of colour, creativity and cultural exchange.