India, Germany Industry Cooperation to Gain Momentum Under EU FTA

Efforts to build stronger industrial ties between India and Germany received a fresh push after Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche.

Goyal said the discussions focused on how the India-EU free trade agreement could help businesses in both countries achieve their full capacity. He described the pact as a potential game changer for bilateral economic engagement.

The conversations covered a broad range of areas, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, green hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage and robust supply chains. Investment in India's industrial and digital sectors was also on the agenda.

As per a government statement released on Wednesday, Goyal began an official tour of Germany and the Netherlands on October 22. The tour will continue until October 27 and includes around 100 representatives from businesses and startups.

The tour is designed to deepen India's strategic economic partnerships, expand bilateral trade and advance industrial and technological cooperation with both nations.

During his stay in Germany, Goyal will attend the Berlin Global Dialogue, where he will interact with international policymakers and global business leaders. He will underline India's macroeconomic stability, manufacturing capacity and key contribution to building strong global supply chains.

Separately, high-level bilateral meetings have been arranged. Goyal will meet Germany's economic affairs and energy minister and the economic and financial policy adviser at the Federal Chancellery, who is also a G7 and G20 Sherpa.

The meetings will explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment routes, speed up technical and industrial collaboration in advanced engineering, green mobility and clean technology, and identify market access and investment opportunities linked to the continuing India-EU FTA talks.

In the Netherlands, Goyal will lead detailed government-to-government discussions in The Hague. He will hold ministerial meetings with the minister for economic affairs and climate and the minister for foreign trade and development cooperation. The talks will focus on expanding trade opportunities and on initiatives connected to the green transition.

The visit will also include meetings with the King's Commissioner of North Holland and members of Dutch parliamentary committees responsible for foreign trade and European affairs.