The India-Germany CEOs Forum, held on 12 January 2026 in Ahmedabad, marked a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations between the two countries. The high-profile gathering brought together senior leaders from German industry, Indian corporates, and top policymakers to chart the next phase of cooperation across trade, technology, manufacturing, and sustainability. The forum took place during the first official India visit of Friedrich Merz, underscoring the strategic importance Germany places on its economic relationship with India.

A delegation of 23 leading German CEOs and industry heads participated in the forum, representing sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, industrial engineering, energy, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing. Their presence reflected growing confidence in India’s long-term economic prospects and its role as a key partner in global supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the delegation, highlighting India’s commitment to policy stability, innovation-led growth, and global partnerships.

During the discussions, German CEOs highlighted that bilateral trade between India and Germany has crossed USD 50 billion, positioning Germany as one of India’s most important economic partners in Europe. Business leaders noted that this growth is not limited to trade alone but extends to investments, joint ventures, research collaborations, and technology transfers. Several German companies with decades-long operations in India reaffirmed plans to expand manufacturing capacity, R&D centres, and local employment.

Senior executives praised India’s rapid infrastructure development, digital public platforms, and reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. Many CEOs described India as a market that offers both scale and resilience, particularly at a time when global economic uncertainty has made diversification of operations and markets a strategic necessity for multinational companies.

Among the prominent voices at the forum was Michael Schoellhorn, who emphasised the complementary strengths of India and Germany in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in aircraft production, defence technologies, and supply-chain localisation. German executives also pointed to India’s expanding role in global innovation ecosystems, particularly in engineering, software, and applied research.

Another key perspective came from Dr. Ralf Wintergerst, who underlined the potential of Indo-German cooperation in secure digital infrastructure, mobility solutions, and smart technologies. He noted that combining German precision engineering with India’s talent pool and scale could unlock significant value for both economies.

Sustainability and green transformation emerged as central themes of the forum. CEOs from manufacturing and automotive backgrounds acknowledged India’s pragmatic approach to energy transition and welcomed collaboration in renewable energy, electric mobility, hydrogen technologies, and climate-friendly industrial processes. Arnd Franz highlighted India’s balanced strategy toward sustainability, noting that it creates realistic pathways for innovation while maintaining industrial competitiveness.

Beyond corporate dialogue, the forum aligned closely with broader policy objectives. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz reiterated their shared ambition to elevate India-Germany relations into a deeper, long-term economic partnership. Discussions also touched on future cooperation in defence manufacturing, semiconductors, critical minerals, skill development, and advanced technologies.

Several German CEOs described India as a “natural partner” for Germany in an increasingly multipolar global economy. They stressed that collaboration with India is not merely a short-term opportunity but a strategic necessity for sustaining global competitiveness in the decades ahead.

The India-Germany CEOs Forum concluded with a strong sense of optimism and alignment. German business leaders left with a clear message: India is central to their global growth strategies, while Germany remains a trusted partner for technology, investment, and industrial excellence. As new projects and partnerships emerge from these discussions, the forum is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of Indo-German economic cooperation.