An important conference “Sustainability: The Technology Imperative for Our Future: German Innovations in India” recently took place in New Delhi, marking a notable step forward in the growing collaboration between India and Germany in technology and sustainability.
Organized by Fraunhofer and the German Embassy, New Delhi, the event attracted top executives from major German companies, including Mercedes Benz, SAP, MERCK, Continental, Daimler Truck, FESTO, Siemens Healthineers, Bosch Global Software Technologies, and Infineon.
One of the key moments of the conference was the launch of a knowledge paper titled “From India to the World: How India Can Transform into a Global Product Development and Innovation Hub.” The paper, authored by leaders from Fraunhofer India, Mercedes Benz Research Development India, and the Fraunhofer Institute of Production Systems and Design Technology, provides strategic insights into how India can emerge as a leader in global product development and technological innovation.
German Ambassador to India, Dr Philipp Ackermann, underscored the importance of this event in the context of the broader Indo-German relationship. He highlighted how the conference aligns with the increasing cooperation between the two countries, especially with upcoming high-level discussions between German and Indian leaders. The Ambassador emphasized that this initiative reflects the shared commitment of both nations to drive innovation and address global challenges collaboratively.
Neeraj Sinha, representing the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, praised the potential impact of the initiative on India’s innovation landscape. He pointed out that while India has made significant progress in fostering innovation, especially through programs like the Atal Innovation Mission, there is still much to be done. He highlighted that collaborations with German industry could play a crucial role in accelerating technological advancements in India.
Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer India, highlighted the significant contributions of German companies to research and development in India. She stressed the importance of continuing to showcase these efforts and integrating them into broader national and global strategies for technological advancement.
The conference also facilitated discussions on future partnerships, focusing on how German innovations can support India’s sustainable development goals. The active participation of industry leaders at the event demonstrated a strong commitment from German businesses to support India’s ambition to become a global innovation hub.
The conference concluded with a collective commitment to further strengthen Indo-German cooperation, recognizing the crucial role that technology and innovation will play in shaping a sustainable future for both nations.
