Germany and India’s relationship is built on mutual respect, shared values and support in a spirit of partnership. Germany and India are key partners and cooperate on issues such as climate change, international terrorism, striving to establish a sustainable global economic order and advance the necessary reform of the United Nations.

India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the fledgling Federal Republic of Germany. India regards Germany as an important partner for its ambitious economic reform programmes, the energy transition, and research and technology. The strategic partnership is based on the May 2000 Agenda for the Indo-German Partnership in the 21st Century. This has been updated by further joint declarations, and most recently by the signing of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement. The Indo-German intergovernmental consultations, which have brought together the countries’ Cabinets every two years since 2011, are the key forum. Germany is the only country with which India maintains dialogue like this.

India has one of the fastest growing economies and by 2027 will likely be the third largest economy in the world. Germany is India’s prime trading partner in the EU and thus also one of its key trading partners worldwide.

At the same time, industrialisation and urbanisation are causing serious damage to the environment. India is now the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The country does however have ambitious targets for expanding renewable energy. These two issues are addressed in the Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development, signed by Federal Chancellor Scholz and Indian Prime Minister Modi on 2 May 2022.

Germany’s development cooperation with India remains a major component of bilateral relations. It supports the economic participation of women, the setting up of a practice-oriented vocational training system and provides stimulus for innovative approaches, e.g. by promoting start‑ups.