India and Germany are collaborating on triangular cooperation projects aimed at promoting sustainable development in countries across Asia, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific region, according to German Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann. In an interview with WION, Ambassador Ackermann highlighted the significance of this partnership, emphasizing the combined expertise of both nations.
“That’s a new project we have developed together where we cooperate and I think it’s very interesting because both the Indian know-how and the German know-how come together. We have started doing projects in Ghana, in Benin, in Malawi, in Africa, but also in Peru, in Latin America. The list is growing,” he remarked, indicating the expanding scope of their joint initiatives. These projects primarily focus on sustainable farming and agriculture, leveraging Indo-German expertise in this field.
One notable initiative mentioned by Ambassador Ackermann is the ‘Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development’ (GSDP), established following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in May 2022. The GSDP aims to address climate change challenges, preserve natural habitats, and develop emission-free urban centres.
“GSDP aims to adapt to climate change, mitigate climate change, preserve nature, preserve the natural habitat and make cities smarter and more emission-free. So it’s a whole package of things we are collecting under this umbrella of this greener Sustainable Development Partnership, that means we will try to very concretely, very operationally improve the situation on the ground and that’s beneficial to everyone,” Ambassador Ackermann elaborated.
He underscored the concrete outcomes of the GSDP, highlighting the allocation of 10 billion euros over the next several years. “Under this, 10 billion euros over the next couple of years and you have in the last two years spent about 1.3 billion euros on this partnership, and the nice thing about this partnership is, it helps and develops projects across the country,” he noted. Under GSDP, projects have been undertaken in Cochin, Andhra, Manipur, Ganga valley.
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Commenting on the broader India-Germany relationship, Ambassador Ackermann expressed anticipation for significant developments in the second half of the year. “We are waiting for a big second half of this year. And we are waiting for the intergovernmental consultations and once the elections are over the new government is formed, we will sit down to find a convenient date with the new government,” he stated.
He also mentioned the upcoming Asia Pacific meeting of German business leaders in Delhi, scheduled for October, which signifies Germany’s deepening engagement with India.
