New Delhi hosted a conference titled “Sustainability: The Technology Imperative for Our Future: German Innovations in India,” a significant event organised by Fraunhofer and the German Embassy. The conference brought together the CEOs of top German companies such as Mercedes Benz, SAP, MERCK, Continental, Daimler Truck, FESTO, Siemens Healthineers, Bosch Global Software Technologies, and Infineon, demonstrating the deepening collaboration between India and Germany in technological and sustainable innovation.

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the knowledge paper titled “From India to the World, How India can transform into a global product development and innovation hub.” The paper, co-authored by Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer India; Soumya Gopinathan from Mercedes Benz Research Development India; and Fabian Hecklau from Fraunhofer Institute of Production Systems and Design Technology, Berlin, outlines strategies for India to become a global leader in product development and technological innovation.

German Ambassador to India, Dr. Philipp Ackermann, highlighted the importance of this event within the broader Indo-German relationship. He remarked, “This conference aligns perfectly with the increasing cooperation between our governments. With high-level dialogues planned between German and Indian leaders later this year, the timing of this initiative is ideal. It reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation and addressing global challenges together.”

Neeraj Sinha, representing the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, commended the initiative’s potential to drive innovation in India. He stated, “India has made significant strides in fostering innovation at various levels, from grassroots initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission to high-level collaborations with industry. However, much more remains to be done. This initiative, bringing together German industry expertise, has the potential to catalyze even greater advancements in our innovation landscape.”

Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer India, emphasized the importance of showcasing the substantial R&D work being done in India by German industry. She noted, “German companies have been at the forefront of innovation in India, contributing significantly to research and development across various sectors. It is crucial that we continue to highlight and build upon these contributions, ensuring that they are integrated into broader national and global strategies for technological advancement.”