Modi and Scholz reaffirm commitment to cooperation on QI

At the invitation of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Germany on 2 May 2022 for the 6th Indo-German inter-governmental consultations. Both governments underlined their intention to further expand their close political and economic collaboration. Scholz highlighted India’s strategic relevance as a key partner for Germany in Asia. Both sides agreed to establish a new Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development, which contains the creation of a hydrogen task force as well as a new migration and mobility partnership.

Partnership for trade, investment and digital transformation

Economic cooperation, trade and digital transformation were further key elements of the bilateral talks. Modi and Scholz emphasised that the partnership between both countries is based on common values and interests, including rules-based, open, inclusive, free and fair trade. Both highlighted the importance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in this regard. They stated their strong support for resuming the negotiations on an EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Scholz stressed the size, the high growth potential, and the innovative capacity of the Indian market. More than 1800 German companies have already recognised this great potential and the locational advantages of India, he said.

As part of the consultations, both sides expressed their appreciation for the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure within GPQI. They noted the Work Plan 2022 which was signed in February 2022 as part of the 8th Annual Meeting of the Working Group. Thereby, the newer areas of collaboration such as digitalisation, smart framing / agriculture and circular economy were highlighted.

Strategic partnership with India at European level

Within the framework of their bilateral talks, Germany and India also welcomed the deepening of the strategic partnership between India and the European Union (EU). The EU ranks third on India’s list of trading partners and is the country’s second largest export destination. Both sides are looking forward to further expanding this economic cooperation. This was confirmed during a visit of the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Delhi shortly before the 6th Indo-German inter-governmental consultations. Both sides agreed to set up an EU-India Trade and Technology Council. The council is to work for common international standards and facilitated trade in the technology sector. In addition, negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the EU will resume from June 2022 onwards.

Please find the Joint Statement of the 6th Indo-German Inter-Governmental Consultations and further information here: 6th German-Indian governmental consultations (bundesregierung.de). For more information on the new EU-India Trade and Technology Council visit: EU-India: Joint press release on launching the TTC (europa.eu)