Kites in the Storm, The Strategic Ascent of the India-Germany Partnership

In the vivid blue skies over Ahmedabad in early 2026, a simple, profound image captured the imagination of the world: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz flying kites together. This was more than a photo-op; it was a powerful metaphor, elegantly articulated by German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann, for a bilateral relationship learning to soar amidst global headwinds. As Germany and India celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, their partnership is undergoing a profound transformation. Moving beyond a historically cautious, trade-focused engagement, it is maturing into a strategic axis of critical importance for a disordered world. This current affairs analysis delves into the drivers, dimensions, and future trajectory of the Indo-German relationship, arguing that it represents a new model of cooperation between a European anchor and an Asian powerhouse, founded on shared democratic values, economic complementarity, and a mutual desire for strategic autonomy in an unpredictable era.

From Chemistry to Strategy: The Evolution of a Partnership

For decades, the India-Germany relationship was characterized by steady but unspectacular growth. Germany was (and remains) India’s largest trading partner in Europe, a key source of technology and investment, particularly in automotive and engineering sectors. India was a significant market and a partner in development cooperation. The relationship, however, was often described as lacking the “strategic heft” or the emotional resonance of India’s ties with powers like the United States, Russia, or even France. It was governed more by boardrooms than by grand strategy.

The convergence of three seismic shifts has fundamentally altered this calculus:

The Erosion of the Liberal International Order: Both nations are “rule-making powers,” invested in a predictable, rules-based global system. As Ambassador Ackermann notes, they watch “the increasing disregard for international law and the disruption of the rules-based global order with great worry.” From Russian aggression in Europe to Chinese coercion in the Indo-Pacific and American unilateralism, the pillars of the post-1945 order are shaking. For Germany, this has triggered a Zeitenwende (turning point), forcing a reappraisal of its post-war pacifism and economic-first foreign policy. For India, it validates its long-held insistence on strategic autonomy and reformed multilateralism. This shared anxiety about a world reverting to “might makes right” creates a powerful common cause.
Economic Turbulence and the Quest for Resilience: The era of hyper-globalization is over, replaced by a focus on derisking, friend-shoring, and supply chain resilience. The “eroding international trade system” and threat of “unpredictable trade wars” hurt both export powerhouses. Germany’s model, dependent on open trade and Russian energy, was brutally exposed by the Ukraine war. India, while growing robustly, seeks to move up the global value chain and secure technology and investment for its green and digital transitions. This creates a perfect alignment of needs: Germany needs to diversify its economic and energy partnerships away from over-dependence on China, while India seeks reliable, high-quality partners for its ascent.
The Rise of India as a Definitive Global Power: Germany now engages with an India whose economic and geopolitical weight is undeniable. As the Ambassador candidly states, India is poised to overtake Germany as the world’s third-largest economy, and “Germany will celebrate the day this happens.” This reflects a mature German outlook that views global economics not as a “zero-sum game,” but as a tide that lifts all boats. A wealthier India means a larger market for German machinery, automobiles, and chemicals. Conversely, a deeper Indian footprint in Germany—through investments like Tata’s ownership of Jaguar Land Rover or tech startups in Berlin—enhances German competitiveness. This mutual recognition as “economic heavyweights” forms the bedrock of a partnership between equals.

The Pillars of the Contemporary Partnership

The Ahmedabad summit and the Ambassador’s commentary highlight several concrete pillars where cooperation is accelerating:

1. The Economic Engine: Trade, Investment, and the Elusive FTA
The centerpiece of the economic agenda remains a European Union-India Free Trade Agreement. After years of stalled negotiations, there is renewed political momentum. Chancellor Merz’s explicit advocacy for the FTA during his first visit outside the Western Alliance signals Germany’s commitment to being a deal-maker within the EU. For Germany, an FTA would secure access to India’s vast market, protect intellectual property, and create a rules-based framework for its small and medium-sized Mittelstand enterprises to engage with India confidently. For India, it promises greater access to European technology, capital goods, and investment, while also providing a counterbalance to China’s economic influence. Beyond trade, cooperation is deepening in future-oriented sectors:

Green Hydrogen: Germany, aiming to be a world leader in hydrogen technology, sees India as a prime partner for production (given India’s low-cost renewable energy potential) and a future market. Joint projects under the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force are pivotal.
Digital and Start-up Ecosystems: German industry 4.0 expertise meets Indian digital prowess. Collaborations in AI, cyber-security, and between German industrial giants and Indian tech startups (in hubs like Bangalore and now Gujarat’s GIFT City) are flourishing.
Supply Chain Resilience: Initiatives to integrate Indian manufacturers into German and European supply chains, particularly in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and renewable energy components, are a strategic priority for both.

2. The Security Dimension: A Budding Strategic-Military Partnership
This is the most transformative development. Historically, defence was a minor footnote, with limited arms sales. Today, it is a frontline agenda item.

Indo-Pacific Engagement: Germany’s adoption of Indo-Pacific Guidelines in 2020 and subsequent naval deployments (like the frigate Bayern’s visit to Mumbai) signify its recognition of the region’s centrality. Germany supports a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” aligning with India’s vision. This provides diplomatic ballast for India against Chinese assertiveness.
Defence Industrial Cooperation: Talks are advancing on joint development and production of defence platforms. German submarines (TKMS) are strong contenders for the Indian Navy’s P-75I project. Cooperation in areas like submarine manufacturing, artillery systems, and niche technologies represents a shift from a buyer-seller relationship to a co-development one, fitting India’s “Make in India” goals and Germany’s desire for reliable, democratic defence partners.
Strategic Dialogue: Regular 2+2 dialogues (foreign and defence secretaries) and military exercises (like the recently concluded air force exercise) are institutionalizing security ties, building interoperability and strategic trust.

3. The Human Bridge: Migration, Mobility, and Education
Ambassador Ackermann’s anecdote about the young Indian woman speaking German after just four months of study is profoundly symbolic. The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) is a game-changer. It facilitates the movement of students, professionals, and skilled workers, addressing Germany’s acute demographic and skilled labour shortage while providing coveted opportunities for India’s young, ambitious population.

Education: Germany is aggressively marketing its world-class, often tuition-free, higher education to Indian students. Simplifications in visa processes and recognition of qualifications are key. The presence of over 40,000 Indian students in Germany is a growing human bridge.
Skilled Workforce: For Indian IT professionals, engineers, nurses, and researchers, Germany offers attractive career pathways. This “safe, legal, and predictable migration” stands in stark contrast to the political toxicity around migration in other Western nations, making Germany a uniquely welcoming destination.

4. The Democratic Anchor: Shared Values in a Divided World
At a time when democratic governance is under strain globally, the partnership between the world’s largest democracy and a pivotal EU democracy carries significant normative weight. Both nations, despite internal debates and challenges, are committed to constitutional order, pluralism, and fundamental freedoms. This provides a foundation of trust often absent in relationships with authoritarian states. It enables cooperation on global governance reform, cyber norms, and upholding a value-based international order.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

The path is not without turbulence. Bureaucratic hurdles, differences in regulatory philosophies, and India’s complex business environment can frustrate German companies. Geopolitically, while both are concerned about China, their approaches differ: Germany’s economy remains deeply intertwined with China, advocating “de-risking” not “decoupling,” while India faces direct military confrontation and is more overtly seeking to reduce dependence. Navigating these differences will require diplomatic finesse.

The year 2026, the platinum jubilee, is poised to be a landmark. The upcoming Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) in Germany, where the entire Indian cabinet engages with their German counterparts, will be a key stocktaking moment. Key milestones to watch for include:

Concluding the EU-India FTA: A breakthrough would be the single biggest economic achievement.
Finalizing Major Defence Deals: A contract in the submarine project would cement the strategic partnership.
Launching Joint Green Hydrogen Projects: Moving from MoUs to ground-breaking.
Expanding Science & Technology (S&T) Collaboration: In quantum computing, space, and clean tech.

Conclusion: Soaring Beyond the Headwinds

The image of Modi and Merz flying kites in Ahmedabad is indeed perfectly chosen. A kite does not fly in a vacuum; it needs wind—even strong, stormy wind—to ascend. The current global headwinds of protectionism, authoritarianism, and instability are precisely what have given the India-Germany partnership its new purpose and lift. They are no longer just trading partners; they are co-pilots seeking to navigate a dangerous storm, reliant on each other’s strengths.

Germany offers India technological depth, manufacturing excellence, and a gateway to Europe. India offers Germany geopolitical balance in Asia, a dynamic market, and a partner in defending a multipolar, rules-based order. As Ambassador Ackermann concludes, this partnership is being built for “something truly lasting.” In an age of transactional alliances and deepening global fractures, the steady, values-based, and increasingly strategic bond between Berlin and New Delhi stands out as a beacon of pragmatic optimism—a partnership not just soaring higher, but also helping to steady the very skies through which it flies.

Q&A: The India-Germany Strategic Partnership

Q1: Why is the “kite flying” metaphor considered so apt for the current state of India-Germany relations?
A1: The kite metaphor, introduced by Ambassador Ackermann, is apt because it captures the essence of a partnership thriving amidst challenge. A kite needs wind to fly—the stronger the headwind, the higher it can soar if skillfully managed. Similarly, the India-Germany relationship is gaining altitude precisely because of the global “headwinds” they both face: the erosion of international trade rules, disregard for international law, and regional instability. These shared challenges have forced both nations to reassess their strategic priorities and recognize their mutual dependency. The act of flying kites together symbolizes collaborative skill, trust, and the shared objective of harnessing difficult conditions for mutual ascent, rather than being blown away by them.

Q2: What is the strategic significance of Germany explicitly supporting an EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and why has it gained renewed momentum?
A2: Germany’s advocacy is strategically significant because it positions Berlin as the key deal-maker and champion for India within the European Union. As the EU’s largest economy, Germany’s political weight can unblock long-stalled negotiations. The renewed momentum stems from a confluence of interests:

For Germany/EU: It is a core part of the “de-risking” strategy from China. Securing preferential access to India’s fast-growing market diversifies economic dependencies and builds resilient supply chains with a like-minded democracy.
For India: An FTA with the EU, its second-largest trading partner, would provide a massive boost to exports, attract high-quality European investment and technology, and integrate Indian manufacturing into global value chains, accelerating its own economic transformation.
The FTA is now seen not just as a commercial tool, but as a geostrategic necessity to strengthen the economic pillar of the democratic world order.

Q3: How has the defence and security component of the relationship evolved from its historical past to its current state?
A3: Historically, defence cooperation was minimal and transactional, limited to minor arms sales. Today, it has evolved into a budding strategic-military partnership with multiple dimensions:

Geopolitical Alignment: Germany’s Indo-Pacific Guidelines (2020) and naval deployments signal its recognition of the region’s importance and its alignment with India’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, providing diplomatic support against unilateral actions.
Industrial Cooperation: The relationship is shifting from “buyer-seller” to co-development and production. High-stakes projects like the P-75I submarine deal involve technology transfer and manufacturing in India, aligning with “Make in India.”
Institutionalized Dialogue: Regular 2+2 dialogues and joint military exercises build interoperability and strategic trust, moving cooperation into the realm of hard security.
This evolution reflects Germany’s Zeitenwende (turning point) in security policy and India’s search for reliable, technology-rich defence partners beyond Russia and the US.

Q4: The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) is highlighted as a key pillar. Why is this “human bridge” so important for both countries?
A4: The MMPA addresses core demographic and economic needs for both nations, creating a powerful human bridge.

For Germany: It is a strategic response to a severe demographic crunch and skilled labour shortage. An aging population and a deficit of IT specialists, engineers, healthcare workers, and researchers threaten German economic vitality. India’s large, young, English-speaking, and skilled talent pool is an ideal solution.
For India: It provides safe, legal, and prestigious pathways for its youth to gain world-class education (often tuition-free in Germany), work experience, and career opportunities. This alleviates domestic pressure on the job market and creates a wealthy, skilled diaspora that fosters ongoing people-to-people ties and future bilateral investment.
The MMPA transforms migration from a contentious issue into a structured, mutually beneficial partnership, enhancing long-term interdependence.

Q5: Despite the optimism, what are the key challenges or divergences that the India-Germany partnership must navigate?
A5: The partnership must skillfully manage several points of friction:

Differential China Approach: Germany’s policy is “de-risking” – reducing dependency while maintaining deep economic engagement. India, due to direct border conflicts and strategic rivalry, pursues a more assertive “decoupling” and counterbalancing. Reconciling these perspectives in joint statements and actions requires delicate diplomacy.
Bureaucratic and Regulatory Hurdles: German businesses often cite India’s complex regulatory environment, tax uncertainties, and protectionist measures in some sectors as barriers. Streamlining these processes is crucial for realizing the full potential of trade and investment.
Divergence on Ukraine: While both have condemned Russian aggression, Germany’s stance is unequivocally aligned with NATO and EU sanctions, while India has maintained a more neutral position, prioritizing energy security and historical ties with Russia. This difference, though managed so far, remains a latent tension in multilateral forums.
Speed vs. Deliberation: India’s agile, fast-moving policy style can clash with Germany’s consensus-based, deliberate decision-making processes, especially within the EU framework on issues like the FTA.
Success will depend on continuous high-level engagement, pragmatic compartmentalization of issues, and a focus on the vast areas of convergent interest.

Kites in the Storm, The Strategic Ascent of the India-Germany Partnership