India-Germany relations

INTERNATIONAL/ ECONOMY

• GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. 

India-Germany relations

Context: Against all COVID odds and with due health precautions in place, the German Navy frigate Bayern landed in Mumbai on January 20, 2022.

• After having visited Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore and other countries in the region, Mumbai is the last station before the Bayern sets course to return to Germany
• This is a concrete outcome of the Indo-Pacific Policy Guidelines that Germany adopted in autumn 2020 and the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Strategy published in 2021.

Importance of India for Germany

• Free and inclusive trade: For Germany it is vital that trade routes through Indo-Pacific stay open and that disputes are resolved peacefully on the basis of international law. India is a maritime powerhouse and a strong advocate for free and inclusive trade — and, therefore, a primary partner on that mission.
• Footprint in Indo-Pacific: Germany has realised that the world’s political and economic centre of gravity is shifting to the Indo-Pacific region. Hence, it wants to have its presence with India as a strategic partner and long-standing democratic friend.

Why is Indo-Pacific region important for Germany & Europe?

• Population: The Indo-Pacific region is home to around 65% of the global population and 20 of the world’s 33 megacities. 
• Economy: The region accounts for 62% of global GDP and 46% of the world’s merchandise trade. More than 20% of German trade is conducted in the Indo-Pacific neighbourhood. 
• Climate Cooperation: Indo-Pacific region is also the source of more than half of all global carbon emissions. This makes the region’s countries like India key partners in tackling global challenges such as climate change and sustainable energy production and consumption.
• Germany is supporting the construction of a huge solar plant in Maharashtra’s Dhule (Sakri). With a capacity of 125 Megawatt, it serves 2,20,000 households and generates annual CO2 savings of 155,000 tons.

Connecting the dots:

• Indian and Eurasia Policy
•  QUAD
• AUKUS