President Eberhard Sinner welcomes the speakers and guests in attendance. He points out India's tremendous economic development in recent years, but also the problems India faces with its neighbouring states China and Pakistan. India is the most populous country in the world, with a very young population. It is increasingly growing into the role of a geopolitical heavyweight.

Consul Amir Bashi conveyed the greetings of the Indian Consul General in Munich, Mr Mohit Yadav, and then discussed India's current economic situation.

Over the last ten years, India has established itself as one of the world's fastest growing economies. The country is now the fifth largest economy in the world in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The Indian economy is characterised by robust internal demand, a large and young population, and increasing investment in infrastructure and technology. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, India has been able to recover quickly and remains an attractive location for investment.

Over the last decade, India has seen an average economic growth of around 6-7% per year, although there have been fluctuations during this period. Particularly noteworthy is the growth in the service sector, which makes a significant contribution to GDP. Industrialisation and urbanisation have also boosted economic growth.

Purchasing power in India has improved significantly over the last ten years. Per capita income has increased and the middle class is growing steadily. In line with this development, demand for consumer goods and services has also increased, attracting both domestic and foreign companies. Despite regional differences and persistent poverty in certain areas, purchasing power has risen overall, which is having a significant impact on the consumer market in India.

Trade between Germany and India has increased continuously in recent years. In 2022, the trade volume between the two countries was around 30 billion euros. Germany mainly exports machinery, chemical products and automotive parts to India, while India mainly exports textiles, chemicals, electronics and food to Germany. India is an important partner for Germany in Asia, and both countries work closely together in areas such as technology, the automotive industry and renewable energies.

The negotiations for an EU-India Free Trade Agreement, if successfully concluded, could further boost bilateral trade. The increasing economic exchanges and strong industrial base of both countries offer numerous opportunities for future collaborations.

In summary, the economic, scientific and political relations between Germany and India provide a solid foundation for deeper cooperation. Strengthening these partnerships could benefit not only both countries, but also the global community.

Ministerialrat Dr Bernd Forster is the director-general responsible for India at the Bavarian State Ministry for Europe and International Affairs. As the former German Vice-Consul in Mumbai, he is familiar with the country from his own experience.

The history of relations between Bavaria and India is characterised by steady growth. In 1988, the Indian Consulate General was opened in Munich. By 2001, India was already an important participant in the Munich Security Conference.

Today, India is the fifth largest economy in the world, and Bavaria recognised this development early on. The negotiations between the EU and India on a free trade agreement are an important step towards further intensifying trade relations. The volume of trade between Bavaria and India is steadily increasing. India could soon be among Bavaria's top 20 trading partners; it currently ranks 23rd. Over 1000 Bavarian companies are already operating in India, while 90 of the 200 Indian companies operating in Germany are based in Bavaria.

Science is another central pillar of Bavarian-Indian relations. There are 80 university partnerships between Bavaria and India, including the office of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Mumbai. The Bavarian-Indian Centre for Business and University Cooperation (BayInd), founded in Hof in 2008, has a branch in Bangalore, which further intensifies scientific and economic cooperation. The Fraunhofer Society is also active in this cooperation.

The number of Indian students in Bavaria has increased significantly in the last ten years, from about 1300 to over 10,000, making them the largest foreign student group in the Free State. Areas of particular interest for cooperation are aerospace, start-ups in India and the acquisition of skilled workers. India's young, well-educated population offers numerous opportunities for closer cooperation in the future.

Prof Harseerat Kaur is an international business and neuroscientist from Punjab, India. She works worldwide as a professor and business consultant in applied neuroscience for business and marketing. With a focus on innovation and creativity, she advises Google on digital growth and marketing in the UK and Ireland and teaches at the EU Business School. Her award-winning master's thesis in sensory marketing reflects her passion for integrating neuroscience into business. She is also committed to mental health, equal educational opportunities and has participated in high-level events at the European Parliament.

Prof Kaur highlights the areas in which both countries benefit from each other.

Trade and investment: Trade between Germany and India has been developing steadily, with Germany making important investments in India's automotive, engineering and chemical industries. Conversely, Indian companies are expanding in Germany, particularly in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors. A free trade agreement between the EU and India could further boost bilateral trade and create new business opportunities.

Industry 4.0 and digitalisation: Germany can support India in modernising its industry and introducing Industry 4.0 technologies. German expertise in automation, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) offers Indian companies the opportunity to modernise their production processes.

Renewable energies: Cooperation in the field of renewable energies is a promising area. Germany is a leader in wind and solar energy technologies, while India has ambitious targets for the expansion of renewable energies. Joint projects and investments in this area could contribute to a sustainable energy future.

Research and development (R&D)

Research and development cooperation is another key area of Indo-German partnership. This partnership includes:

Education and university partnerships: There are already numerous partnerships between German and Indian universities and research institutions. Programmes such as the ‘Indo-German Science & Technology Centre’ (IGSTC) promote joint research projects, particularly in the fields of engineering, biotechnology and environmental research. Such partnerships could be further intensified to promote scientific exchange and drive innovation.

Technology and innovation: Germany and India are working together on innovative technologies in areas such as electric mobility, artificial intelligence and medical technology. Exchanging knowledge and expertise in these areas can help both German and Indian companies to succeed in the global market.

Start-up ecosystems: Both countries have vibrant start-up ecosystems. German and Indian start-ups can benefit from each other through joint programmes and investments. Initiatives such as the ‘German-Indian Startup Exchange Program’ (GINSEP) promote exchange and collaboration between start-ups in both countries.

Prof Kaur has prepared a paper on the main discussion points of the event.

Here is the presentation shown during the event

Dipl.-Kfm. Christine Schickinger moderated the subsequent general discussion.

Questions are asked about possible cooperation between medium-sized companies and about India's situation in relation to its relationship with Russia.

Two of the guests are Indian entrepreneurs in Bavaria and briefly describe the success of their companies.

President Eberhard Sinner begins his summary at the end of the event with an interesting story:

The idea that Bollywood, the Indian film centre in Mumbai, was influenced by Oberammergau in Bavaria may seem surprising, but it has a fascinating historical basis.

Oberammergau is known worldwide for its passion plays, which have been performed since 1634. The defining moment in the connection between Oberammergau and the creation of Bollywood lies in the British colonial era, particularly in the 19th century. Overall, it can be said that Oberammergau, through its passion plays, was an inspiration for Indian filmmakers, leading to the development of a distinct cinematic style known today as Bollywood.

As a democratic counterweight to China, India is seeking to strengthen its economic and geopolitical position through various measures.

India is pursuing a comprehensive strategy that includes the expansion of overseas ports, maritime security and international cooperation to provide an alternative to China's ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative. While China's initiative relies on massive infrastructure investments and the construction of new trade routes, India is focusing on a combination of economic development, diplomatic cooperation and strategic military presence. These approaches are designed to ensure that India plays a significant role in global trade and in the geopolitical landscape, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Political cooperation between Germany and India is characterised by a close partnership based on shared values such as democracy and the rule of law. This cooperation could be further expanded:

Strategic partnership: Germany and India have a strategic partnership that extends to areas such as security, global challenges and multilateral cooperation. Both countries can strengthen their cooperation in international bodies such as the United Nations and present joint positions on global issues such as climate change, counterterrorism and trade policy.

Geopolitical cooperation: India is an important partner for Germany in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in view of the changing geopolitical landscape. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region could be intensified to promote peace, security and stability in the region.

Humanitarian cooperation: Both countries can expand their cooperation in humanitarian areas such as development cooperation and disaster relief. Germany already supports India in various development projects, particularly in rural areas.

In summary, the economic, scientific and political relations between Germany and India provide a solid foundation for deeper cooperation. Strengthening these partnerships could benefit not only both countries, but also the global community.