Germany and India successfully concluded the India–Germany Government Negotiations on Development Cooperation 2025 on December 08, reaffirming their strong and future-oriented partnership under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP). During the negotiations, Germany announced new commitments amounting to almost EUR 1.3 billion, primarily in the form of concessional loans, across key areas such as climate and energy, sustainable urban development, green urban mobility, and the sustainable management of natural resources. In addition, bilateral cooperation in the skills development sector, particularly in renewable energy, will be further strengthened.
These commitments underline Germany’s long-term partnership with India in advancing ambitious climate action, low-carbon growth, and inclusive development.
Outcomes of the Negotiations
At the close of the negotiations, India and Germany agreed on a substantive portfolio of new development cooperation projects across all core areas of the GSDP. The commitments of almost EUR 1.3 billion reinforce the shared ambition of both countries to:
• advance climate mitigation and adaptation,
• strengthen clean and secure energy systems,
• expand sustainable and inclusive urban mobility,
• and enhance the sustainable management of natural ecosystems.
During the negotiations, Ms. Christine Toetzke, Director General for Asia, Latin America, Middle East, and Eastern/South Eastern Europe at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), said, “India remains a major strategic partner country, also under the new German government. I am delighted to continue our trustful development cooperation under the umbrella of GSDP, guiding our commitment to bilateral cooperation. With the projects committed today, Germany and India jointly follow the path to sustainable prosperity and overcome global challenges.”
Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, emphasized the unique nature of the GSDP cooperation between the two countries. He said, “Our negotiations under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership are serious in purpose but deeply rewarding, because they take place with partners we know well and value greatly.
Germany has no partnership quite like the GSDP with any other country; its scale, ambition, and spirit of equal collaboration make it truly unique. It is not traditional development cooperation; it is two mature nations working together to find solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. I am very pleased that we were able to conclude the negotiations efficiently, and I look forward to the important work we will take forward together in the coming year.”
Focus on Green Urban Mobility and Innovation
Ahead of the negotiations, Ms. Christine Toetzke travelled to Bangalore to gain first-hand insights into the ‘Indo-German Green Urban Mobility Partnership for All’.
Her programme in Bangalore showcased India’s pioneering mobility landscape—from large-scale public transport projects to cutting-edge digital and accessibility innovations. The ‘Indo-German Green Urban Mobility Partnership for All’ is a flagship initiative under the GSDP, aimed at advancing low-carbon, people-centric, safe, accessible, and affordable mobility solutions.
Germany supports India’s ambitious targets in green mobility, covering electrification, last-mile connectivity, public transport modernisation, barrier-free design, digital innovation, and inclusion. German companies continue to play a strong role by offering high-quality technological solutions in key mobility and infrastructure segments.
A notable example of ongoing Indo-German cooperation is the recently inaugurated Yellow Line Metro segment in Bangalore, supported by a EUR 340 million KfW loan. The project not only strengthens sustainable urban transport and reduces emissions but has also contributed to the creation of an estimated 25,000 jobs, with German companies such as Siemens, Knorr-Bremse, Hübner and Voith involved in essential deliveries and services.
In addition, the Living Lab in Bangalore, powered by a partnership between government, industry, academia, civil society and companies such as Bosch and Nunam, demonstrates how Indo-German cooperation is driving climate-smart innovation. India’s first rooftop solar-powered EV charging station with second-life batteries, developed by Nunam, has already been scaled from Bangalore to Surat to support the city’s public e-bus fleet.
Indian non-profit and start-up innovations supported through Indo-German collaboration, such as OnBoard, developed at IIT Delhi to assist visually impaired passengers, and RampMyCity, which provides customised accessibility solutions, exemplify the partners’ commitment to enabling barrier-free, inclusive urban spaces.