India and Germany Strengthen Partnership in Renewable Energy and Urban Development
New Delhi [India], September 21: India and Germany have successfully concluded their development policy negotiations, reinforcing cooperation in key sectors such as renewable energy, urban development, mobility, and agroecology. The talks, held in New Delhi, were led by the Department for Economic Affairs (Indian Ministry of Finance) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Both nations are committed to furthering their Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development, established in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Barbara Schafer, head of the German delegation, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, “Germany and India share a long-standing, trusting, and strategic partnership. This has been further demonstrated in 2024 by both sides.”
Schafer noted that the launch of the ‘India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energy Worldwide’ at the 4th REInvest in Gandhinagar marked a significant milestone in their collaboration. She added that Germany is fulfilling its international obligations, with the country supporting various sectors in India, including climate-resilient agriculture and infrastructure development.
Through Indo-German cooperation, modern transmission lines spanning 7,700 kilometres have already been established, with German financing contributing to metro projects in Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, and the water metro in Kochi. Schafer emphasised the broader impact of their partnership: “Germany supports Indian farmers in making their agricultural production more climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and sustainable.” She also mentioned ongoing triangular projects in Peru and several African nations.
The outcomes of these negotiations set the stage for the upcoming Indo-German government consultations, which will take place in October 2024, in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Scholz are expected to further build on the progress made.
Uwe Gehlen, Head of German Development Cooperation in India, remarked, “The term ‘sustainable energy transition’ takes on a new quality when Germany and India combine their unique capabilities, setting a positive example not only in their own countries but also globally.”
This year, Germany has committed over EUR 1 billion to initiatives involving concessional loans and technical cooperation in sectors like renewable energy, urban development, forest ecosystems, water management, and sustainable agriculture.
Doubts Revealed
renewable energy -: Renewable energy comes from natural sources like the sun, wind, and water, which can be used again and again without running out.
urban development -: Urban development means making cities better places to live by improving buildings, roads, and services like water and electricity.
mobility -: Mobility in this context means how people move around in cities, like using buses, trains, and other forms of transportation.
agroecology -: Agroecology is a way of farming that works with nature to grow food in a healthy and sustainable way.
Ministry of Finance -: The Ministry of Finance in India is a part of the government that handles money matters, like taxes and spending.
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development -: This is a part of the German government that works with other countries to help them grow and develop in a sustainable way.
Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development -: This is an agreement between India and Germany to work together on projects that help the environment and make life better for people.
India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energy Worldwide -: This is a new project where India and Germany will work together to invest money in renewable energy projects all over the world.
metro projects -: Metro projects are plans to build or improve subway or train systems in cities to help people travel more easily.
climate-resilient agriculture -: This means farming in ways that can handle changes in the weather, like more rain or less rain, so that crops can still grow well.
