India and Germany Set to Hold 7th Inter Governmental Consultations in New Delhi
The 7th Inter Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany are set to take place in New Delhi on October 25 and 26, co-chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This biennial IGC format, launched in 2011, facilitates a thorough review of cooperation and identifies new areas for engagement at the Cabinet level, marking India as one of the select few countries with which Germany has established such a mechanism.
The upcoming consultations herald a strong focus on technology, with key discussions expected to revolve around sustainability, green transition, migration and mobility, and technology and innovation. This is anticipated to strengthen collaborative efforts in new and emerging technologies, following the India-Germany Vision Document that was unveiled during Chancellor Scholz’s state visit to India in 2023.
A significant aspect of this year’s IGC is the celebration of 50 years of Science and Technology Cooperation between India and Germany. Over the years, this partnership has yielded joint projects across vital fields such as space research, artificial intelligence, sustainable practices, and advanced materials. The previous IGC, held in Berlin in May 2022, resulted in numerous agreements focused on green and sustainable development, including the commitment of 10 billion Euros in funding from Germany to support India’s Paris Climate Goals and Sustainable Development Goals.
In anticipation of the IGC, Germany has released two critical documents: the first India strategy titled "Focus on India," aimed at strengthening relations across various sectors, and a skilled labor strategy designed to enhance workforce mobility from India to Germany to address labor shortages in the latter.
As strategic partners since 2000, India and Germany have long-standing diplomatic relations, having first established them in 1951. Both nations share a commitment to upholding democratic values, supporting a rules-based international order, and enhancing bilateral security and defense cooperation to tackle global challenges.
The forthcoming visit will mark Chancellor Scholz’s third trip to India since taking office, and he and PM Modi have met seven times since 2022. A variety of institutional arrangements exist for both countries to discuss mutual interests in bilateral and global matters, including coordination in multilateral forums such as the G20 and UN.
The defense relationship has seen notable growth, with plans for joint naval exercises and other military collaborations. This expansion underscores the deepening ties between the two nations, which also includes strong economic interactions. In 2023, trade between India and Germany reached a record high of USD 33.33 billion, with Germany being India’s largest trading partner within the EU.
Additionally, the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed in December 2022 has become a cornerstone of the relationship, reflecting the increasing number of Indian nationals residing in Germany—approximately 250,000—along with a significant presence of Indian students in German universities.
As India prepares to host the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business from October 24-26, 2024, it is anticipated that the event will further enhance the trade and investment links between the two countries, bringing together hundreds of business leaders and political representatives.
The upcoming IGC is poised to solidify the robust partnership between India and Germany, setting the stage for future cooperation across various sectors in an increasingly interconnected world.
