Germany - India Relations

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 September 2022.

In April 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 India’s largest trading partner in Europe. During 2022-23 (until August 2022), bilateral trade was $ 10.81 bn, an increase of 9.32% over the corresponding period in FY 2021-22. 

Germany is the 9th largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of $14.13 Bn during April 2000- March 2023. 

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 1,700 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 November 2022, 152 companies are being facilitated through this programme with a declared investment of nearly Euro 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 34,134 (2022) 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 2.03 lakh (December 2021) Indian passport holders and Indian-origin people (about 1.60 lakh NRIs/Indian Passport holders and around 43,000 PIOs) in Germany.