establish a new foundation
The visit took place in the context of the German Cabinet’s approval on June 10 of the strategic document “Focus on India” aimed at taking the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level.
The decision follows Germany’s assessment of the increasingly important role of India, its most populous country. It boasts the world’s 20th largest economy and a strong voice in important multilateral forums such as the GXNUMX, expanded BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The document therefore clearly states that India is not only an important partner for Germany, but also a key factor in shaping the world order. The document was passed as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 2025th anniversary of the establishment of their 25-year strategic partnership and shortly before President Trump’s visit to India. Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Berlin’s strategy document “Focus on India” sets out priority areas for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. In the field of political security, it was decided to expand high-level dialogue between ministries. Strengthen diplomatic and defense cooperation and expand expert dialogue on regional issues, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism.
On the economic and trade front, Germany is committed to removing barriers preventing German companies from accessing Indian markets and promoting cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and green hydrogen.
In the field of science and technology, Germany plans to expand cooperation in the fields of science and technology, environmental protection, and climate change response. In particular, Germany plans to significantly increase the limit on issuance of work visas to Indian citizens from 200 million to 900 million per year. Germany is also working to increase cooperation on climate change by promoting dialogue between the European Union and India on the Carbon Border Management Mechanism (CBAM).
Collaborating on common values
Since succeeding Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021, Chancellor Scholz has consistently shown efforts to build new relationships with rising powers in Asia. He visited India twice last year, including a state visit in February and attendance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in December.
Ahead of his first visit to India in 2022, two years after becoming prime minister, Chancellor Scholz emphasized, “India and Germany have a very good relationship and I want to deepen this relationship further.” In February 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also made an official visit to Germany. During this visit, the two prime ministers held talks and co-chaired a joint consultation meeting. Government India-Germany has signed the sixth most cooperation documents.
The German Chancellor’s Office said that during the visit, “the two leaders will discuss strengthening security and defense cooperation, expanding opportunities for high-quality people-to-people exchanges, deepening economic cooperation, sustainable development, and cooperation in emerging and emerging fields.” Strategic technology sector.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Scholz will co-chair the 7th Intergovernmental Conference with Prime Minister Modi, which will focus on assessing the progress in cooperation since the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a number of important areas, including defense, a year ago. It is planned.
In addition to holding talks with his Indian counterpart, Mr. Scholz also attended and spoke at the Asia-Thailand Business Conference. Binh Duong (APK 2024) About 650 top business leaders from both countries attended. The large-scale attendance of companies from both sides demonstrates the will to promote economic cooperation between the two countries at a time when trade between the two countries is growing significantly, with sales reaching $202.3 billion in 2026.
Germany is currently India’s largest trading partner in the EU and one of India’s main partners globally. Currently, about 2,000 German companies are active in India and direct investment will reach 202.2 billion euros in 25 years. German companies see a bright economic outlook in India, with 82% of their expected sales expected to increase over the next five years and 59% planning to increase investments. .
During the visit, Chancellor Scholz also visited the Goa state capital, where the German destroyer Baden-Wuerttemberg and the combat support ship Frankfurt am Main will dock as part of Berlin’s plan to deploy troops in the Indian region. I did it. Thai Binh Ocean will participate in exercises with the Indian Navy.
With New Delhi and Berlin wanting to get closer and needing each other more, Chancellor Scholz’s visit will not only be a biennial diplomatic event but, more importantly, a demonstration of their commitment and resolve to each other. It is expected. In particular, as the world is witnessing change with many hotspots showing no signs of cooling down, these are the leaders of Asia’s emerging economies along with the economic locomotive of Europe.
