India-Germany Ties Gain Importance Amid Global Uncertainty: German Envoy

Germany is seeking to deepen cooperation with India in trade, defence and labour mobility amid growing global uncertainty, German Ambassador to India Jasper Wieck said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Wieck described the current period as an “era of unpredictability” and said closer India-Germany ties had assumed greater importance. He cited the Russia-Ukraine conflict and changing US policies as factors contributing to the uncertainty.Wieck identified the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), labour migration and defence cooperation as his three priorities as ambassador.

On India's continued purchase of Russian oil, Wieck said Germany understood India's energy requirements as a country of 1.4 billion people whose economy depends on energy imports. However, he argued that reducing purchases from Russia could affect Moscow's ability to finance the war in Ukraine.

He said the conflict had also affected India and Germany through higher prices of grain and fertilisers, besides having wider geopolitical implications. Wieck said India could contribute to efforts aimed at finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.Defence cooperation is another major focus, with Wieck saying a potential submarine deal between India and Germany could provide a major boost to bilateral relations.

India and Germany are expected to sign an agreement for six next-generation conventional submarines under Project-75I. The proposed deal, estimated at around 8 billion euros, involves Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, with the submarines to be built in India.

Wieck said cooperation could also expand to unmanned systems, cyber capabilities, missile technology and sensors.On the India-EU FTA, he said Germany expects the agreement, whose negotiations concluded in January, to be signed by the end of 2026, followed by ratification by the Indian and European parliaments.

The ambassador also said Germany was working to address student visa concerns and facilitate greater movement of students and skilled workers between the two countries.