Ahmedabad, January 12: German business leaders have highlighted the expanding Indo-German relationship, emphasizing trust, shared democratic values, and vast opportunities for collaboration across diverse sectors, including innovation, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and sustainable mobility.
Airbus CEO Michael Schoellhorn described India and Germany as “natural partners” in the global landscape, underscoring the strength of their bilateral ties, which are rooted in mutual trust and common values. He emphasized future-oriented sectors like aerospace, defence, and innovation as key areas for deepened cooperation between the two nations.
Dr. Ralf Wintergerst, CEO of Giesecke+Devrient, echoed these thoughts, pointing out that Germany’s precision and India’s scale and talent present a powerful combination to create transformative global solutions. He noted that these complementary strengths position the partnership for long-term success.
Susanne Renate Kunschert, Director of PILZ India Private Limited, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as her role model, highlighting the strong foundation he has built for India’s continued success.
Bertram Kawlath, President of VDMA—the largest mechanical engineering industry association in Europe—also commended Prime Minister Modi for his clear vision of Indo-German collaboration. He suggested that a strategic alliance between German machinery manufacturers and Indian equipment producers could significantly bolster the global equipment market.
Arnd Franz, Chairman and CEO of the MAHLE Group, a leading global automotive supplier, applauded India’s rapid advancements in sustainable mobility. He highlighted the country’s leadership in green transition, particularly through the accelerated rollout of E20 fuel blends and biofuels, as a model for the world. Franz noted that India’s multi-fuel strategy, encompassing ethanol, hydrogen, and electrification, provides a balanced, realistic approach to global decarbonization.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently met with CEOs from both nations at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The bilateral trade between India and Germany reached USD 51.23 billion in 2024-25, with Germany being India’s largest trading partner within the European Union. Germany accounts for approximately one-fourth of India’s EU trade, solidifying its position as India’s leading EU partner.
In addition, Indo-German trade in services rose by 12.5% in FY 2024-25, reaching a record USD 16.65 billion. Germany remains the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of USD 15.40 billion from April 2000 to June 2025, and German investments during FY 2024-25 totaled USD 469 million.
