The Karnataka government has refuted allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that there was a protocol failure during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s recent visit to Bengaluru. All established diplomatic procedures were duly followed, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) said.
The BJP criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for not being present to receive the German Chancellor, saying they missed the engagement to attend a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Mysuru.
In an official explanation, MA Manusur, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, DPAR, State Etiquette- Foreign Affairs Cell, said that Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has formally communicated with the Secretary of State, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, accepted the proposal for cabinet-level interaction with the German Chancellor and proposed a meeting as the date of January 12.
However, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in New Delhi, in a letter dated January 8, informed the state government that due to the Chancellor’s busy schedule in Bengaluru, it would not be possible for him to meet the Chief Minister in person. The embassy further noted that the chancellor also did not meet the leadership of the state government in Gujarat and that meeting only the chief minister of Karnataka could be perceived as imbalance.
In addition, the Ministry of External Affairs in an email dated 8 January 2026 informed the Government of Karnataka that the visiting dignitary can be formally received and escorted by a Minister (Protocol) appointed by the Chief Minister. Subsequently, Mr. Siddaramaiah appointed MB Patil, Minister for Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development.
All steps were taken in accordance with diplomatic norms and instructions of the Ministry of External Affairs, DPAR said.
Published – 28 Jan 2026 21:56 IST
