India and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology during a high-level meeting on Sunday between Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Germany’s Minister-President Markus Söder.
The talks included a one-on-one bilateral followed by a delegation-level meeting, which touched upon advancing partnerships in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, clean energy, electric mobility, cyber-physical system and green hydrogen.
Minister Singh welcomed the German delegation, stressing Germany’s role as a natural partner in India’s push for sustainable and technology-driven solutions.
Singh praised the Indo-German 2+2 collaboration model, which links academia and industry from both countries, calling it a “futuristic” approach to global problem-solving through innovation and commercialisation. He also recalled the 50th anniversary of Indo-German cooperation in science and technology, celebrated last year, and pointed to a recent governing body meeting in Germany as a sign of growing momentum.
Speaking on India’s biotechnology sector, Singh noted the presence of over 3,000 startups and India’s global leadership in vaccine manufacturing. He cited the newly launched BIOe3 policy, focused on energy, economy, and employment, as a strategic move to accelerate biotech innovation.
India’s space technology and nuclear sectors, now open to private participation, were also identified as promising areas for collaboration. Singh added that India currently ranks third globally in terms of startups and unicorns, presenting a vibrant landscape for tech partnerships.
Educational exchanges featured prominently in the discussions, with Singh noting that over 50,000 Indian students—mostly in STEM fields—are currently enrolled in German universities, a figure that has tripled in the past seven years. He urged for a reciprocal rise in the number of German students in India, especially in Oriental studies and traditional knowledge systems.
Fondly recalling his visit to Berlin, Singh observed the growing appeal of Indian cuisine and culture, pointing to the proliferation of Indian restaurants and the enthusiasm of locals. The German delegation included Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann and other senior officials, while Indian representatives featured senior figures from the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Biotechnology. (Business World)