Germany - India Relations

Sept 2023: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz, on the sidelines of G20 Summit in New Delhi. The leaders reviewed the progress in their bilateral Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas like defence, green and sustainable development, critical minerals, mobility of skilled personnel and education.

Prime Minister visited Berlin on 2 May 2022. A total of 14 agreements were signed in diverse fields such as green partnership, development cooperation, renewable energy, migration and mobility, economic cooperation and agriculture. Prime Minister and Chancellor also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership.

Germany and India co-operate on the issue of UNSC expansion within the framework of G-4 and consult each other in G-20 on global issues such as climate change and sustainable development. The last meeting of the G4 was held on the side-lines of the 77th UNGA in Sept 2022.

In Apr 2021, the German Federal Cabinet approved the signing of the amended framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and thereby confirming Germany's accession to the ISA. 

On 7th March 2021, India and Germany marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

India and Germany agree to work together with focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Start-Ups as well as 'AI' research and its application in Sustainability and Health care.

Several institutionalized arrangements exist between India and Germany on bilateral and global issues, including Foreign Office Consultations, High Technology Partnership Group, High Defence Committee, Indo-German Energy Forum, Indo-German Environment Forum and Joint Working Groups in sectors such as skill development, automotive, agriculture, water and waste management.

India and Germany signed the Strategic Partnership in 2001, which has been further strengthened by the Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) between the two Governments. The IGC allows for a comprehensive review of cooperation and a platform to identify fresh areas of engagement. 

Germany is currently 12th largest trading partner for India. During 2023-24, merchandise trade between India and Germany crossed $26.11 Bn. 

Germany is the 9th largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of $14.74 Bn during Apr 2000 to Jun 2024. 

Some major Indian exports include machinery and mechanical appliances, textiles, and chemicals. Some major Indian imports include optical and medical instruments, machinery and mechanical appliances, vehicles, and accessories.

As per Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 2,000 German companies in India. German investments in India have been mainly in sectors of transportation, electrical equipment, metallurgical industries, services sector (particularly insurance), chemicals, construction activity, trading and automobiles. 

A Fast Track Mechanism has been set up for German companies in India under the DPIIT to expedite resolution of issues. The Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM) Programme was launched in 2015 to facilitate the entry of German MSMEs. As of Nov 2022, 152 companies are being facilitated through this programme with a declared investment of nearly €1.47 Bn.

Cultural and academic exchanges form an integral part of Indo-German relations. German scholarly interest played a key role in introducing Indian art, culture, literature and philosophy to the wider world. Max Mueller was the first scholar of Indo-European languages who translated and published Upanishads and Rigveda.

German interest in the Indian philosophy and languages resulted in the first Chair of Indology at the University of Bonn in 1818. The Government of India has funded several rotating chairs of Indian studies in German Universities.

The increased interest in Indian films manifests in the exclusive Indian Film Festival, Stuttgart and Indo-German Film Week in Berlin which witness a huge turnout regularly.

Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, is being acknowledged as a complementary system of medicine in Germany. Several research institutions in Germany have been contributing to this development through international exchanges and research projects.

The International Day of Yoga 2022 was organized in Erfurt, capital city of the federal state of Thuringia, with an objective to raise awareness of Yoga and its benefits among school children. 

There are approximately 43,000 (2023) Indian students who are studying in Germany, a number which is rising each year. Around 800 German students are studying or doing internships in India. 

There are around 2.20 Lakh (Dec 2022) Indian passport holders and Indian-origin people (about 1.60 Lakh NRIs/Indian Passport holders and around 43,000 PIOs) in Germany.