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, counterterrorism, a sustainable global economic order and reform of the United Nations.

India was one of the first countries with which the Federal Republic of Germany established diplomatic relations. It 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 Agenda for the Indo-German Partnership in the 21^st Century, which was adopted in May 2000 and updated by further joint declarations, such as the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement of 2022. The Indo-German intergovernmental consultations, which have brought together the countries’ Cabinets every two years since 2011, are the key forum. In 2024, the German Government adopted the strategy paper “Focus on India”, setting itself an ambitious agenda of further expanding Indo-German cooperation. During the visit by Federal Chancellor Merz to India in January 2026, declarations were signed on topics including cooperation on semi-conductors and critical raw materials.

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. In early 2026, India and the European Union concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement that will encompass a population of almost two billion and around a quarter of global gross domestic product, thus creating one of the largest free trade zones in the world.

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. However, the country has ambitious targets for expanding renewable energies. These two issues are addressed in the Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development, signed by then 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. In addition to promoting the energy transition and climate action, Germany supports women’s economic participation and the establishment of a practice-oriented vocational training system and provides impetus for innovative approaches, e.g. in the promotion of start-ups.