DEEPENING INDO GERMAN TIES.

 STRATEGIC TIES 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's maiden visit to India accompanied by high level delegation including 23 important CEOs, industry leaders and negotiators resulted in very positive outcome with key pillars of cooperation in defence and security, trade and economic relations  innovation and technology(semiconductors and AI) education and research, green energy ,skill development, mobility and people to people exchange etc along with various industry focused forums like Regional Industry Summit  and German Indian Innovations Summit gathered benefit. These summits apart from boosting  bilateral relations is expected to leverage Germany's industrial strength with India's growing economy particularly in innovation and sustainable development.Germany being the largest economy of European Union  with rapid progress in defence manufacturing, industry,  innovation and technology and with  strong historical and cultural ties with  India offers tremendous growth potential and to reach our ambition of achieving developed country status by 2047.

 SECURITY AND TRADE 

Both  leaders - Indian Prime Minister  and German Chancellor reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation by deepening military to military cooperation joint exercises and welcomed Germany's intent to participate in Naval exercise  MILAN and air Combat exercise TARANG SHAKTI. Similarly Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation will enable India to collaborate and harness advanced military technology so as to strengthen strategic defence ties with Europe,focusing on prospects for sustained growth in bilateral trade and investment. Both leaders commented the Indian and German defence business through Defence round tables/ seminars held in both capitals .They also lauded continuing cooperation in submarines, obstacle avoidance system for helicopters and Counter Unmanned Aerial systems. Building very  deepened relationship is based on shared goals and complementarity of strength of both skilled workforce and competitive costs .Moreover reciprocal logistics support agreement between armed forces and knowledge exchange in new defence technologies between India's DRDO and German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Infor*mation Technology and in- Service Support (BAAINBW) are agreed 

 it was observed that bilateral trade reached record level in 2024  when German bilateral trade in goods and services exceeded US $ 50 billion in 2024 accounting for more than one fourth of  India's trade with European Union EU.Investments between Germany and India are very significant towards diversifying  global supply chains- optimising untapped economic potential  through SMEs ,Startups, digitalisation  Artificial Intelligence AI and innovation  driven enterprises. PM  invited German companies to invest or expand so as to achieve benefit from strong economic growth, business friendly environment, Large and highly skilled work force and tremendous  scale opportunities. Leaders welcomed signing of  joint declaration for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation through German- Indian CEO forum, which will further promote business and industry collaboration supported by long standing businesses mutually both German business in India and Indian business in  Germany.It has been observed that by virtue of CEO forum and signing of joint declaration and strengthening bilateral economic cooperation through German- Indian CEO forum business will accelerate in both countries. 

INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY 

The Indo German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) is promoting bilateral industry growth including areas of advanced manufacturing  medical technologies, bio economy,  AI, Semiconductors, industry and emerging technologies. IGSTC flagship role include promoting bilateral industry- academic  strategy. Leaders welcomed progress and cooperation in critical and emerging technologies including semiconductors, critical minerals ,digitalisation, telecommunications, health and the bioeconomy which consolidates the innovation and  Technology  partnership .Both sides agreed to establish an institutional dialogue about semi conductors value chain through joint declaration of intent on Semiconductor Ecosystem partnership. Already Global Capability Centre (GCC) has been started by Infineon the German technology enterprise in India. Regarding cooperation in the advanced field of critical minerals focus is on mutual cooperation in exploration of critical minerals, R&D,value addition through processing , recycling and acquisition and development of critical mineral assets in both India and Germany and third countries as well.Both sides finalised Digital   work plan for collaboration on internet, Data Governance  AI ,Semiconductors and industry academia ,medical technologies  and emerging technologies, Both countries agreed to enhance dialogue in Space research between India's ISRO and German Space Agency DLR.In traditional medicine cooperation for both evidence based and people centric medicine practices for affordable health care and collaboration between Indian Institute of Ayurveda and Charite University of Germany were also  advocated.Health challenges  can be addressed in terms of pandemic preparedness combating antimicrobial resistance and ensuring equitable access to affordable health care and medicines. 

GREEN TECHNOLOGY 

For Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) and renewable energy Germany has intensified bilateral cooperation on sustainable development, climate Action and strengthened strong commitment towards both Paris Agreement and UN  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 10 billion Euros were committed until 2030.GSDP has been contributing to India's programs like Solar roof top PMe- Bus Sewa,National Green Hydrogen Mission ,climate  resilient urban infrastructure in Tamil Nadu  forestry  biodiversity agroecology,and Skilling.

MIGRATION AND MOBILITY. 

Education Skilling mobility and culture interplay a very  vital role  in Indo German ties especially in the present global scenario. Growing number of students, researchers, skilled professionals, artists and tourists are making valuable contributions to German economy innovation and cultural life .Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) facilitate very liberal visa free transit for Indian passport holders for transiting through Germany which facilitate both ease of travel and people to people links between both countries. Growing number of Indian students are enrolled in Germany along with increasing number of collaborative research ,dual degree programs and institutional linkages  between both countries like Indian Institute Of Technology and Technical Universities in Germany offer exciting opportunities. India has already invited leading German universities to impart higher education in the country by opening campuses under New Education Policy. Through mobility of skilled Germany's growing demand for health care professionals and other professionals are met.In addition strong historical cultural and maritime heritage do help migration and Mobility. It has been estimated that currently  2-2.5 lakh Indian diaspora is living in Germany. 

 CONCLUSION 

There has been substantial and solid outcome in the Indo German Summit held on January 12th in terms of both Joint Declaration of interest (JDI) and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) signed. Beyond bilateral relations it has reaffirmed elements of talks with European Union Free Trade Agreement awaited to conclude shortly, more so in the context of striking deal with Germany which is largest economy under EU.Both India and Germany signed several deals of  cooperation on strategic issues comprising of Defence, industrial cooperation road map to promote collaborations and technology partnership in defence equipment . This is taken as a percusor enabling for defence purchase  between two countries . In  any case amidst tensions in several parts of the world Chancellor Merz visit become instrumental for much awaited trade agreements to conclude with the forth coming India European Union Agreement. On the other hand mobility and migration to Germany will open great opportunities for both students and skilled people which can  partially offset the set back faced to H1-B Visa,students migration and other immigration bottlenecks faced  from USA. With regard to industry, innovation and technological developments India can utilize much more German expertise in the years ahead. The Indo German deal is the forerunner of India European Union trade pact which is described symbolically by the Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as "mother of all deals".






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