TRANSFORMATIONAL INDIA-GERMANY PARTNERSHIP CAN SHAPE INCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGIES

India-Germany strategic partnership is emerging as a cornerstone of stability amid uncertain times.

- ANUPAMA VIJAYAKUMAR

Unfussy and devoid of diplomatic embellishments, the ties have been on an upward trajectory in recent times to signal the achievement of a certain maturity.

Key developments evolving around the recent visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz have pointed to India attaining a newfound strategic importance as indicated in Berlin's newly published "Focus on India" manual. The great value that India attaches to this strategic partnership is evidenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterising the relationship as "transformational", given its potential to serve as a "strong anchor" amid turbulent geopolitical currents.

The partnership on one hand draws strengths from converging viewpoints in the realm of technology governance and sustainable development. On the other hand, common interests also derive from the stakes both countries are looking to secure in the Indo-Pacific as they seek to constructively engage China. In a way, they have sought to de-escalate the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific through touting their respective versions of strategic autonomy. Germany in particular has sought out avenues for diplomacy with China in the realm of science and technology or trade. Meanwhile, both countries have been striving to de-risk their critical technologies' supply chain through setting up alternative means and ramping up domestic capacity in areas including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and semiconductors.