Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. File.
| Photo Credit: X/@PMOIndia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. File.
| Photo Credit: X/@PMOIndia

Mehreen Amin is studying in the fourth semester at the Government Degree College for Women in Zakura, Srinagar. Ms. Amin recently completed an intensive solar technical programme through a Kashmir-based training institute registered with the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ). When the institute was initially mobilising students in her community, she felt an instinctive urge to enrol.

“I wasn’t thinking about career benefits or the future of solar energy back then; my only interest was a hands-on desire to learn how to install the panels,” Ms. Amin recalls. “But now, I realise we will all need these skills in the future. I want to know exactly how to handle and operate this equipment myself.”

Ms. Amin’s training is part of the training of thousands of students and professionals to become “Suryamitras,” or certified solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians. This is a three-month-long programme from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy, to promote job creation in India’s solar industry.

Back in 2023, some of the Suryamitras were also considered potential candidates for working in the German solar industry.

Within a month of former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to India in February 2023, the Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW), or the German Solar Industry Association, and the SCGJ signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote skilled worker migration in the solar sector between India and Germany.

BSW is a trade body representing over 1,000 companies in the solar energy and battery storage sector in Germany. The SCGJ is a non-profit, autonomous, industry-led organisation associated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

As per the MoU, the promise was to place at least 20 Indian Suryamitra electricians in Germany’s solar sector. Another objective was to promote skilled workers exchange to help address and accelerate skilled worker migration in solar between the two countries. By conservative estimates, Germany is facing a shortage of over 1,00,000 workers in the solar sector.

Three years since that MoU was signed, not a single Indian Suryamitra has migrated to Germany.

This is not the first time an official Indo-German agreement promising the transfer of skilled labour has failed to materialise. Two years earlier, the State of Maharashtra and the German State of Baden-Württemberg had signed an agreement on the transfer of skilled labour, promising to send 10,000 skilled workers in 34 trades from the Indian State to Germany. By December 2025, reports confirmed that not a single professional had migrated under the agreement.

Big promises

The BSW-Solar and SCGJ agreement repeats a pattern where not a single skilled professional migrated from India to Germany. It was during Chancellor Scholz’s 2023 visit to India that Germany increased its cap on professional visas for Indian professionals from 20,000 to 90,000.

According to a 2025 study by the German Economic Institute (IW), around 32,800 Indian professionals work in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, a nine-fold increase since 2012.

A third of full-time Indian workers aged 25 to 44 are employed in the STEM sector. But the picture isn’t as rosy for non-STEM sectors, especially in areas where vocational training is a must — such as the solar industry.

“Our understanding is that the primary objective of this initiative was to support domestic workforce training and skills development within India to meet the needs of its booming local market, rather than facilitating international placements,” noted David Wedepohl, managing director of International Affairs at BSW Solar and also a signatory of the MoU.

As per BSW Solar, they were not operationally involved in the training programme.

The signatory from the SCGJ, Arpit Sharma, noted that the Suryamitras were already trained under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy scheme, and that the idea of the partnership was to upskill them in German technical standards and provide German-language courses.

“Unfortunately, no candidates were upskilled during the tenure, and no funds were provided to the SCGJ for any task,” noted Mr. Sharma.

According to Mr. Wedepohl, throughout the entire solar value chain, there is a particular demand for skilled workers in building electrical systems, such as DC assembly, AC installation, PV planning and construction management for the PV sector.

According to a 2024 study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, only 18% of companies were actively recruiting workers from abroad, even though 70% were facing a worker shortage.

The reason — language and bureaucratic hurdles such as recognition of professional qualifications. In vocational fields, German companies are strict about on-the-job practical knowledge.

As per Mr. Wedepohl, “The aim was to identify the already trained Suryamitras, which were supported by the National Institute of Solar Energy and if needed, upskill them to German standards.”

Jana Fingerhut, Senior Project Manager (Sustainable Social Market Economy) at Bertelsmann Foundation, notes that German companies are strict about the accreditation of certain professions in addition to language proficiency.

“The accreditation process can cause delays. The government is also cutting down on language and integration courses, which makes it even harder for many qualified people to enter the German job market. We hope that changes in the future,” noted Ms. Fingerhut.

Mr. Sharma noted that a list of 30 Suryamitras was shared with BSW Solar. “The candidates couldn’t make it through the upskilling programme as the German migration laws changed,” said Mr. Sharma.

Speaking to various other students, such as Ms. Amin, it also emerged that many trainees are not enrolling with the objective of building careers in the solar sector. Some trainees said they enrolled for the stipend associated with the programme, while others did it while being engaged in a different occupation.

It emerged that institutes are assigned enrolment targets but receive little guidance on how to identify or recruit candidates genuinely interested in green-sector jobs. As a result, the emphasis often shifts from attracting motivated trainees to simply filling seats.

Structural roadblocks

One thing both sides agree on is the changes to migration frameworks on the German side that further complicated matters.

“When the partnership was originally formed, labour shortages and market conditions in Germany differed from today. The German market grew by roughly 100% between 2022 and 2023. The cooperation provided a valuable opportunity to better understand the Indian solar sector and to explore whether labour mobility between the two countries could be feasible in the future,” said Mr. Wedepohl.

According to a 2026 report from the Bertelsmann Foundation, the number of people employed in Germany’s renewable energy sector reached a record high of 4,36,000 in 2025, a sub-4% increase over 2023. The report notes that the current federal government’s energy policy changes could put thousands of jobs in the sector at risk.

“The previous government placed a strong emphasis on expanding renewable energy and implemented this through new, ambitious expansion targets and faster approval procedures for renewable energy installations. Under the current federal government, a political shift appears to be emerging that could slow down the expansion of renewable energy. However, this is not yet 100% certain, as four energy-sector laws are currently being developed. The initial draft laws, however, suggest that they could lead to lower investment in renewable energy and, as a result, a reduction in jobs,” said Ms. Fingerhut.

In March 2026, Germany’s Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, discontinued state subsidies for rooftop solar installations up to 25 kW, citing a drop in photovoltaic prices.

“This cut would mean that fewer people have an incentive to install solar panels, which could have a negative impact on investment and, in turn, on employment in the solar industry,” noted Ms. Fingerhut.

At the moment, the BSW and SCGJ partnership focuses on ongoing discussions around skill development for manufacturing and industrial workers across the solar value chain.

“Continued cooperation between governments, industry stakeholders, and training institutions remains important to align qualifications with actual labour market needs,” said Mr. Wedepohl.

(This article is part of the India-Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme organised by Clean Energy Wire, supported by Heinrich Böll Stiftung)

Following nuclear testing in 1998, the Singh-Talbott talks provided the framework for shifting the Indo-US relationship from “estranged democracies” to “engaged democracies.” A comparable transition is already ongoing between Germany and India, as seen by Germany’s “Focus on India” policy. This move is underscored before Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s October 2024 visit to New Delhi, indicating a growing realization that India is not just a key regional actor but also an important partner in the global arena. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s 2022 statement, “Europe must grow out of the mindset that its problems are the world’s problems,” resonates strongly with Germany’s stance, which coincides with a more pragmatic and multipolar world order. 

Chancellor Scholz’s Visit and Growing Partnership 

Chancellor Scholz’s visit to India is a significant milestone in the growing Indo-German partnership. His schedule included the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Businesses in Delhi, where he and Prime Minister Modi spoke to senior industry leaders from both countries. With bilateral commerce reaching a record high of Euro 30 billion in 2023 and strong German interest in India’s technology and manufacturing sectors, this conference provided an opportunity to transform economic engagement into a long-term industrial collaboration. The visit further channelled the Green and Sustainable Partnership between India and Germany. Furthermore, the two countries began commemoration of the 25th anniversary of their strategic Partnership, providing an appropriate backdrop for Scholz’s visit and demonstrating the maturity of the relationship. Scholz emphasized on contribution of the Indian diaspora in the growth of Germany and released India India-specific Skilled Labour Strategy.

A New Realization in the West

The release of two India-specific documents signals the post-Markel era in the India-German partnership. The tone and content of those two documents indicate a positive alignment towards India. The Scholz administration has appreciated the vitality of Indian democracy and desisted from lecturing India. Germany’s strategic focus on India highlights three major themes underscoring India’s rising global position. First, the changing geopolitical landscape has led Germany and the West to view India not just as an occasional ally but as a strategic partner with lasting influence. This shift is captured in Germany’s recent “Focus on India” strategic document, signalling a transformation from episodic cooperation to a committed partnership. The document underlined India as a ‘central and active shaper of international politics’. The West increasingly recognises India’s ability to contribute strategically, reflecting a maturing relationship that is responsive, rather than reactionary, to shared global challenges. Like the United States’ shift in its India policy post-1998, Germany’s approach now highlights India’s role as a reliable partner in areas such as economic resilience, technology, and sustainable development.

The Focus on India document’s identification of India as a “stabilizer” in the Indo-Pacific underscores the second major theme: India’s Anchor of Stability, both regionally and on broader global issues. With rising concerns about China’s influence, Germany acknowledges India as essential to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Thus, recognizes the Indian commitment to safeguarding maritime security and upholding sovereignty. Chancellor Scholz’s recent visit to the German frigate Baden-Wurttemberg in Goa further emphasized this stance, highlighting the alignment between Germany’s Indo-Pacific vision and India’s security priorities. As India and Germany strengthen their ties in the Indo-Pacific, their partnership is moving beyond transactional goals to shared principles of freedom and mutual respect for sovereignty. This reflects the fundamental shift in Germany’s perspective concerning the Indo-Pacific. In 2020, the German government’s Indo-Pacific policy guidelines have referred to India as ‘another Indo-Pacific partner’.

Finally, India’s unique positioning as a pragmatic and reliable bridge in complex conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, is gaining international recognition. Unlike other major powers, India maintains open diplomatic channels with all stakeholders in the conflict, including the U.S., Germany, Russia, and Ukraine. The recently concluded BRICS plus summit in Kazan in Russia signalled India holds the best geopolitical position globally. Germany’s acceptance of India’s neutral stance highlights an understanding that independence in decision-making and focus on long-term relationships shape Indian foreign policy. Unlike China, whose interests often diverge from Western priorities, India promotes global stability without treating crises as mere transactions. This perception of India as a pragmatic yet empathetic bridge solidifies its credibility on the world stage and demonstrates its value in navigating geopolitical conflicts with sensitivity and reliability. 

Together, these themes reveal a fundamental shift: Germany and the West are moving from viewing India as a regional ally to recognizing it as a strategic partner with a stabilizing and mediating influence essential to today’s multipolar world.

Limitations and Conclusion

Germany’s “Focus on India” policy marks a shift from a distant, episodic relationship with New Delhi to a steady, strategic collaboration grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and values. However, while Germany acknowledges India’s significance, the policy’s cover-where Kashmir is subtly obscured on the map-hints at lingering sensitivities. Besides, the Focus on India document refers to the so-called “Global South” on three occasions. In the West, this term is often viewed dismissively. In contrast, New Delhi and over 100 capitals worldwide identify with it proudly. The disdainful tone concerning the term underlines the need for jointly traversing along the road of partnership.

Yet, this evolution reflects Germany’s move from a Eurocentric approach to a realistic embrace of global multipolarity. By viewing India as a true partner, not merely a regional ally, Germany aligns itself with the emerging world order. This alliance offers both nations a historic opportunity to address shared challenges, drive economic growth, and enhance stability amid global shifts.

Abhishek Chaudhari is currently on an academic break to pursue a mid-career degree at Harvard Kennedy School. Aniket Bhavthankar recipient of Konrad Adenauer Stitung’s doctoral fellowship.

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the authors

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the strengthening ties between India and Germany, citing recent collaborations as evidence of their deepening friendship.

Speaking at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024, PM Modi said, “On one hand, the CEO Forum meeting is being held here, on the other hand, our navies are practising together. 

German naval ships are on a port call in Goa. And in a short while from now, the seventh inter-governmental consultations between India and Germany are also to be organized.

“That is, the friendship between India and Germany is deepening at every step, on every front,” he added.

PM Modi said that this year marks the completion of 25 years of India-Germany strategic partnership and added that the next 25 years are going to take this partnership to new heights.

“This year is the 25th year of India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The next 25 years are going to take this partnership to new heights. We have prepared a roadmap for a developed India in the coming 25 years,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the release of the “Focus on India” document by the German Cabinet, which outlines how two strong democracies and leading economies can cooperate for global good.

“I am happy that at such a crucial time, the German Cabinet has released the Focus on India document. The Focus on India document is a blueprint of how the world’s two strong democracies, the world’s two leading economies, can together become a force for global good. It clearly reflects the approach and commitment to take the strategic partnership forward in a holistic manner. The trust that Germany has shown in India’s skilled manpower is especially amazing,” he said.

PM Modi also expressed confidence that Germany’s decision to increase visas for skilled Indians will boost its growth.

“Germany has decided to increase the number of visas given to skilled Indians every year from 20 thousand to 90 thousand. I am confident that this will give a new impetus to Germany’s growth,” he said.

“Our mutual trade has reached a level of more than 30 billion dollars. Today, on one hand, hundreds of German companies are in India, while Indian companies are also rapidly increasing their presence in Germany. Today, India is becoming the biggest centre of diversification and de-risking. India is also becoming a hub of global trade and manufacturing. In such a situation, this is the most appropriate time for you to Make in India, Make for the World,” PM Modi said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the strengthening ties between India and Germany, citing recent collaborations as evidence of their deepening friendship.

Speaking at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024, PM Modi said, “On one hand, the CEO Forum meeting is being held here, on the other hand, our navies are practising together. 

German naval ships are on a port call in Goa. And in a short while from now, the seventh inter-governmental consultations between India and Germany are also to be organized.

“That is, the friendship between India and Germany is deepening at every step, on every front,” he added.

PM Modi said that this year marks the completion of 25 years of India-Germany strategic partnership and added that the next 25 years are going to take this partnership to new heights.

“This year is the 25th year of India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The next 25 years are going to take this partnership to new heights. We have prepared a roadmap for a developed India in the coming 25 years,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the release of the “Focus on India” document by the German Cabinet, which outlines how two strong democracies and leading economies can cooperate for global good.

“I am happy that at such a crucial time, the German Cabinet has released the Focus on India document. The Focus on India document is a blueprint of how the world’s two strong democracies, the world’s two leading economies, can together become a force for global good. It clearly reflects the approach and commitment to take the strategic partnership forward in a holistic manner. The trust that Germany has shown in India’s skilled manpower is especially amazing,” he said.

PM Modi also expressed confidence that Germany’s decision to increase visas for skilled Indians will boost its growth.

“Germany has decided to increase the number of visas given to skilled Indians every year from 20 thousand to 90 thousand. I am confident that this will give a new impetus to Germany’s growth,” he said.

“Our mutual trade has reached a level of more than 30 billion dollars. Today, on one hand, hundreds of German companies are in India, while Indian companies are also rapidly increasing their presence in Germany. Today, India is becoming the biggest centre of diversification and de-risking. India is also becoming a hub of global trade and manufacturing. In such a situation, this is the most appropriate time for you to Make in India, Make for the World,” PM Modi said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the strategic partnership between India and Germany has emerged as a strong anchor at a time when the world is faced with tensions, conflicts and uncertainty.

Participating in the Seventh Inter-Governmental Consultations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Modi said India-Germany ties were a transformational partnership of two capable and strong democracies and not a transactional relationship.

“The world is passing through times of tensions, conflicts and uncertainty. In the Indo-Pacific region, there are serious concerns about the rule of law and freedom of navigation. In times like this, the strategic partnership between India and Germany has emerged as a strong anchor,” PM Modi said.

The prime minister recalled that this was Chancellor Scholz’s third visit to India and marked the “triple celebration” of the friendship between India and Germany.

“In the last IGC in Berlin in 2022, we took important decisions for our bilateral cooperation. In two years, there has been encouraging progress in various sectors of our strategic relations. There has been increasing cooperation in areas such as defence, technology, energy, green and sustainable development that have become symbols of mutual trust,” PM Modi said.

The prime minister also welcomed the ‘Focus on India’ strategy announced by Germany.

“I am delighted that to expand and elevate our partnership, we are taking several new and important initiatives and moving from the ‘Whole of Government’ to the Whole of Nation approach,” PM Modi said.

The IGC framework was launched in 2011 and allows for a comprehensive review of cooperation and identification of new areas of engagement between the two countries across various sectors.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit, the country’s Ambassador to India Phillip Ackermann has outlined key discussion areas for the intergovernmental consultations.

He said the consultations are being finalised through a series of visits and phone calls between high-level officials from both countries.

“I think what we will see is a significant focus on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership that we have with India, a substantial emphasis on military and strategic policy, and defence. It will also include important discussions on migration, which is a vital aspect of our cooperation,” the ambassador told PTI Videos.

Furthermore, the agenda will address the dynamics of German and Indian businesses operating in each other’s countries.

On Tuesday(October 8, 2024), Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephone conversation with German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.

Mr. Ackermann viewed the call as a precursor to the upcoming intergovernmental consultations scheduled later this month.

“There is a lot on the table. Projects have been discussed. We’ll see a very successful and fruitful bilateral meeting later this month. The two sides need to prepare a strong agenda to ensure a guaranteed outcome,” the ambassador emphasised.

Last week, German National Security Advisor Jens Plötner engaged in separate discussions with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to prepare for Scholz’s upcoming visit.

Mr. Scholz’s trip will involve extensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the India-Germany Intergovernmental Commission (IGC).

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets Deutscher Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairperson Michael Roth, in Berlin on Wednesday (September 11, 2024)
| Photo Credit: ANI

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has met Michael Roth, the chairman of the German Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs, and discussed the current global challenges and the possibilities of new bilateral collaborations.

Mr. Jaishankar is in Germany on the second leg of his three-nation tour. He arrived here from Saudi Arabia after attending the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue.

“Glad to meet Mr Michael Roth, MP and Chairman of the @Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs. Shared views on current global challenges, and possibilities of new collaborations between India and Germany,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting on Tuesday.

He also held a lively conversation with foreign affairs and security policy experts organised by the Munich Security Conference in Berlin on Tuesday.

“Exchanged perspectives on the changing global order, multipolarity, security challenges and the strategic convergences between India and Germany,” Mr. Jaishankar said.

Mr. Jaishankar also interacted with the members of the German parliament known as the Bundestag.

“Appreciated their insights on contemporary global issues. Value their support for stronger India-Germany relations,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Jaishankar also held wide-ranging discussions with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and took stock of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, covering areas such as trade, defence and security.