India Germany Trade
India's exports to Germany reached US$ 11.53 billion in FY26, registering 8.44% growth and spanning 6,009 commodities.
Last updated: Oct, 2026
Introduction
Germany represents one of India’s most significant commercial partners, ranking as the country’s leading trading partner in Europe and a key player in India’s global trade network. Diplomatic engagement between the two countries was established at an early stage in the post-war period, providing a foundation for long-term cooperation. Over the past decade, India Germany trade relations have deepened across economic and political domains, reflecting growing strategic convergence. Supported by a diversified export basket and expanding commercial engagement, India exports to Germany continue to grow, while Germany imports from India span a wide range of engineering, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and textile products. This growing bilateral trade between India and Germany highlights the strength of the India Germany economic partnership and creates new trade opportunities between India and Germany.
India-Germany Trade
- In FY26, India’s bilateral trade with Germany reached US$ 31.03 billion. India's exports to Germany grew by 8.44% year-on-year in FY2025–26 compared with FY2024–25, reflecting sustained growth in bilateral trade and stronger export performance.
- Germany is the 7th largest trading partner in exports for India as of FY26.
- Germany is the 10th largest investor in India, with cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of Rs. 96,196.45 crore (US$ 15.607 billion) from April 2000 to March 2026.
Major exports from India to Germany
- India’s export to Germany stood at US$ 11.526 billion in FY26.
- India exported 6,009 commodities to Germany in FY26.
- Major exported items from India to Germany include Engineering Goods (US$ 4.97 billion), followed by Electronic Goods (US$ 997.58 million), Ready-Made Garments (RMG) of All Textiles (US$ 932.74 million), Organic and Inorganic Chemicals (US$ 905.70 million), Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (US$ 639.01 million), Leather and Leather Manufactures (US$ 467.25 million), Plastic and Linoleum (US$ 286.54 million), Cotton Yarn/Fabrics/Made-ups, Handloom Products, etc. (US$ 239.17 million), Coffee (US$ 192.86 million), and Gems and Jewellery (US$ 192.81 million) in FY26.
Major imports by India from Germany
- Imports from Germany to India stood at US$ 19.507 billion in FY26.
- India imported 5,997 commodities from Germany in FY26.
- Major items imported by India from Germany include Machinery, Electrical and Non-Electrical (US$ 5.75 billion), followed by Transport Equipment (US$ 4.24 billion), Electronic Goods (US$ 2.25 billion), Professional Instruments, Optical Goods, etc. (US$ 1.33 billion), Non-Ferrous Metals (US$ 720.55 million), Artificial Resins, Plastic Materials, etc. (US$ 703.29 million), and Machine Tools (US$ 697.20 million) in FY26.
Recent Trends & developments
- In April 2026, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh visited Germany to strengthen defence industrial collaboration, where both countries advanced cooperation in co-development and co-production of defence equipment, particularly in niche technologies, while operationalising the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to support innovation, resilient supply chains and the India Germany economic partnership.
- In June 2026, India and Germany reinforced scientific and technology cooperation through discussions on quantum communication, photonics, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, space technologies and industry-led deep-tech partnerships. The collaboration is expected to strengthen research, innovation and create new trade opportunities between India and Germany in frontier technologies.
- In June 2026, Telangana signed a cooperation agreement with the German state of Thuringia to enhance collaboration in technology, semiconductors, life sciences, startups and skill development. The partnership will strengthen industry–academia linkages, promote workforce development and further deepen India Germany trade relations through sub-national economic cooperation.
- In March 2026, India and Germany advanced bilateral cooperation in tourism during ITB Berlin 2026, agreeing to strengthen collaboration in sustainable tourism, expand air connectivity, promote investment and enhance people-to-people exchanges. India's participation with 42 tourism stakeholders highlighted new business opportunities in the travel and hospitality sector, further supporting the India Germany economic partnership and creating trade opportunities between India and Germany.
- In February 2026, Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia met Germany's Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, Mr. Karsten Wildberger, to advance cooperation in telecommunications and digital transformation following the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI). Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration in 5G/5G-Advanced, 6G, trusted telecom networks, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and resilient supply chains, while working towards a structured implementation roadmap to strengthen the India Germany economic partnership and create new trade opportunities between India and Germany.
- In January 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Mr. Friedrich Merz reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India Germany economic partnership and India Germany trade relations, as both countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the Strategic Partnership. The two countries signed 19 agreements and MoUs, announced eight new initiatives, and agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, critical minerals, renewable energy, higher education, skills development and digital cooperation. They also signed a Joint Declaration on Bilateral Defence Industrial Cooperation, reinforcing India Germany trade relations, resilient supply chains and new trade opportunities between India and Germany.
- India and Germany held the High Defence Committee meeting in New Delhi on November 18, 2025, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh and German State Secretary Mr. Jens Plötner, to review bilateral security and defence cooperation. The discussions focused on co-development and co-production of defence equipment, enhanced military-to-military engagement, joint exercises including TARANG SHAKTI and MILAN 2026, and regional security in the Indian Ocean Region, with Germany acknowledging India’s role as a key security provider.
- India and Germany advanced cooperation in traditional and integrative healthcare during the 3rd Joint Working Group Meeting on Alternative Medicine held in Berlin from 18–20 November 2025. Led by the Ministry of Ayush and Germany’s Federal Mixnistry of Health, discussions focused on integrating traditional medicine into public health systems, developing reimbursement pathways, and strengthening regulatory frameworks, reinforcing a shared commitment to evidence-based, people-centric healthcare collaboration.
- Union Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal will visit Berlin from October 23, 2025, to deepen India–Germany economic and trade ties, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership. During the visit, he will hold high-level meetings with German leaders, engage with CEOs and industry bodies, and participate in the third Berlin Global Dialogue to promote trade, investment, and business collaboration.
- Germany and India have partnered to support India's net-zero target by 2070 through joint efforts in renewable energy, sustainable urban development, and climate-friendly technologies. Under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, Germany aims to invest US$ 10 billion in India by 2030.
- Germany has committed to about Rs. 13,650 crores (US$ 1.4 billion) for India under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) to support climate action, clean energy, urban development, and sustainable mobility projects. The largely concessional financing will back initiatives in renewable energy, skills training, urban transport, and environmental management, reinforcing long-term India–Germany cooperation aligned with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
- Held on July 1, 2025, the German Indian Round Table (GIRT) meeting in Coimbatore advanced India-Germany collaboration in industrial innovation, vocational training, and education. GTTI’s training programs were recognized under Germany’s dual system, enabling skilled migration opportunities.
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Germany from 22–24 May 2025, engaging the newly formed German leadership to reaffirm the priority both sides attach to bilateral ties as India and Germany mark 25 years of their Strategic Partnership. The visit focused on deepening cooperation across defence, trade, green and sustainable development, digital technologies, AI, and global security, while injecting fresh momentum into India–Germany and India–EU relations, including support for an early conclusion of the India–EU FTA.
- India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on research and development in advanced materials on 25 October 2024, exchanged by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and German Federal Minister Ms. Bettina Stark-Watzinger in the presence of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.
- ‘Make in India Mittelstand’ (MIIM) for German Mittelstand (SMEs) and Family-Owned Businesses is being implemented by the Embassy of India, Berlin, to support high-potential Mittelstand companies with medium to long-term potential for manufacturing in India. Since its inception in September 2015, 135+ companies have been facilitated through this program with a declared investment of nearly US$ 970 million.
- India and the EU restarted talks for a comprehensive free trade agreement earlier this year after a gap of nine years. The two sides concluded the first round of negotiations for Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreements (BTIA), including the Geographical Indicators (GI) on July 1, 2023.
- German Federal Minister of Defence, Mr. Boris Pistorius visited India from June 5-8, 2023, wherein he had a bilateral meeting with the Raksha Mantri on June 6, 2023. He also visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai on 07 June 2023.
- In July 2023, on his visit to India, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action Mr. Robert Habeck said India and Germany want to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and increase investments and collaboration among companies.
- During the 9th Annual Meeting of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure held on April 25, 2023, India and Germany signed an agreement known as Work Plan 2023. The agreement focuses on enhancing quality infrastructure (QI) by addressing the various aspects of QI, such as standardization, accreditation, conformity assessment, legal metrology, product safety, and market surveillance.
Economic Cooperation and Investments
- In January 2026, Germany announced visa-free airport transit for Indian passport holders and introduced a new framework for the recruitment of Indian healthcare professionals, facilitating business mobility, strengthening people-to-people ties and supporting the long-term India Germany economic partnership.
- In January 2026, India and Germany agreed to establish a Chief Executive Officers' (CEO) Forum under the Joint India–Germany Economic and Investment Committee to strengthen bilateral trade between India and Germany, promote investment, industrial collaboration and business partnerships, while Germany announced €1.24 billion (US$ 1.43 billion) in new funding under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) for renewable energy, green hydrogen and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- The 7th IGC was held on October 25, 2024, in New Delhi, co-chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and German Federal Chancellor Mr. Olaf Scholz, with senior ministers and officials from both sides in attendance.
- Strategic Partnership: Leaders welcomed renewed momentum in the India–Germany Strategic Partnership under the theme “Growing Together with Innovation, Mobility and Sustainability.”
- Green & Sustainable Development: Under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), Germany announced new commitments of over Rs. 8,300 crore (US$ 1 billion), taking cumulative commitments since 2022 to around Rs. 26,500 crore (US$ 3.2 billion).
- Climate & Indo-Pacific Support: Germany reiterated support of up to Rs. 166 crores (US$ ~20 million) under its International Climate Initiative to strengthen climate resilience in Pacific Island States.
- Innovation & Technology: Marking 50 years of S&T cooperation, both sides launched the India–Germany Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap, focusing on AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, renewable energy, start-ups, space, and advanced materials.
- Energy Transition: The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap was launched to support production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and accelerate the clean energy transition.
- Defence & Security: India and Germany agreed to deepen defence cooperation through co-development, co-production, joint R&D, logistics support arrangements, and enhanced Indo-Pacific engagement.
- Trade & Investment: Leaders highlighted strong trade and investment linkages, the role of APK 2024, MSME/Mittelstand cooperation, and the Fast Track Mechanism to resolve trade issues.
- Mobility, Skills & Education: Both sides reaffirmed full implementation of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA), expansion of joint degrees, research collaboration, and growing Indian student mobility to Germany.
- The Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave in Germany, held under the TN Rising Europe initiative, led by Chief Minister Mr. Thiru. M.K. Stalin saw the signing of 23 MoUs worth Rs. 3,819 crore (US$ 0.46 billion), generating 9,070 jobs. With this, total investment commitments secured in Germany during the visit reached Rs. 7,020 crore (US$ 0.85 billion) across 26 MoUs, creating 15,320 jobs, with major investments spanning renewable energy, automotive components, industrial equipment, advanced R&D, and skill development, highlighting strong investor confidence in Tamil Nadu’s industrial and governance ecosystem.
- A delegation led by Rajasthan Chief Minister Mr. Bhajan Lal Sharma signed MoUs with German companies, including Albatross Projects, Flixbus, Partex NV, Veauli Techniks GmbH, and Ingo Schmitz during a roadshow ahead of the Rising Rajasthan Investors Summit, covering sectors such as defence, mobility, AI, automobiles, and skill development. Addressing German investors, the Chief Minister said Rajasthan has already secured investment proposals worth Rs. 15 lakh crores (US$ 180 billion) within two months of the summit’s announcement and outlined plans to scale renewable energy capacity to 115 GW by 2031–32, requiring investments of over Rs. 5,40,000 crores (US$ 65 billion), positioning the state as a trusted global supply-chain and technology partner.
- Addressing the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business in New Delhi, Union Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal highlighted the powerful synergy between Germany’s precision engineering and India’s scale and innovation capabilities to drive global growth. He underscored cooperation in AI, semiconductors, green technologies, and startups, reaffirmed India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and climate commitments, and noted Asia’s demographic shift as a major opportunity for businesses and investment.
- Juno Joule Green Energy and Germany’s Select Energy GmbH have partnered to develop a US$ 1.17 billion green hydrogen and ammonia facility in Andhra Pradesh. The project, set to commence in 2026, aims to produce 180 Kilo Tonnes Per Annum (KTPA) of green hydrogen by 2029, converting it into up to one million tonnes of green ammonia annually for export.
- Indian toy makers, who participated in the five-day international toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany, held from January 30, 2024, to February 3, 2024 have received huge orders worth more than US$ 10 million as they had showcased high-quality products.
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and German Federal Minister Ms. Bettina Stark-Watzinger exchanged a Joint Declaration of Intent to enhance Indo-German cooperation in advanced materials research. This exchange, witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a significant step in their commitment to innovation and addressing global challenges. Dr. Singh acknowledged recent collaborative achievements, including joint projects in “Waste to Wealth” and sustainable packaging, along with new AI for Sustainability proposals.
- Over the years, bilateral trade between the two countries has been increasing. Additionally, new business opportunities are also being explored and Germany invested more than US$ 14.12 billion in India between April 2000-March 2023. The German government provides funds of around US$ 1.06 billion (€1 billion) each year for economic cooperation with India. Key areas of investments have been transportation, electrical equipment, metallurgical industries, services sector (particularly insurance), chemicals, construction activity, trading, and automobiles. More than 1,600 Indo-German collaborations and 600 joint ventures are represented in the Indian marketplace.
- As per the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 1,700 German companies in India. German investments in India have been mainly in sectors of transportation, electrical equipment, metallurgical industries, services sector (particularly insurance), chemicals, construction activity, trading and automobiles.
Conclusion
The India Germany economic partnership continues to strengthen through expanding cooperation in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technologies, semiconductors, defence and innovation. Growing India Germany trade, supported by rising India exports to Germany and increasing Germany imports from India, reflects the resilience of bilateral trade between India and Germany. As both countries deepen collaboration in emerging technologies, industrial partnerships and sustainable development, India Germany trade relations are expected to unlock new trade opportunities between India and Germany and support long-term economic growth.
Contacts
- Embassy of India in Germany
Address: Tiergartenstraße 17, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Contact No: +49-30-25795-0
Mr. Pushpender Kumar Duchania (Sr. PPS) to Ambassador
Email: amboffice.berlin@mea.gov.in
Ms. Abhishek Dubey (Deputy Chief of Mission);
Email: dcm.berlin@mea.gov.in
Mr. Stalin Babu Cheekatla, Minister (Consular)
- Embassy of Germany in India
Address: No. 6/50G, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
Telephone: +91-11-44199-199
Dr. Philipp Ackermann (Ambassador)
FAQs
India exports to Germany are led by Engineering Goods (US$ 4.97 billion), followed by Electronic Goods, Ready-Made Garments, Organic and Inorganic Chemicals, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, and Leather Products in FY26.
India Germany trade continued to strengthen, with bilateral trade between India and Germany reaching US$ 31.03 billion in FY26. India's exports to Germany also grew 8.44% year-on-year, reflecting stronger export performance.
Engineering, renewable energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, defence, telecommunications and advanced manufacturing are strengthening India Germany trade relations and long-term economic cooperation.
The German market offers trade opportunities between India and Germany through expanding collaboration in green hydrogen, semiconductors, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and innovation, supported by growing business partnerships.
Engineering Goods account for the largest share of India exports to Germany, followed by Electronic Goods, Ready-Made Garments, Organic and Inorganic Chemicals, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, and Leather Products.
The India Germany economic partnership supports business growth through the CEO Forum, the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), industrial collaboration and investment initiatives that improve commercial engagement.
Semiconductors, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing are expected to create new trade opportunities between India and Germany.
The growth of India Germany trade is driven by rising investments, innovation partnerships, sustainability initiatives, expanding industrial cooperation and institutional frameworks supporting bilateral business.
Indian businesses can expand India exports to Germany by leveraging Germany's demand for engineering goods, participating in technology and innovation partnerships, and utilising business platforms such as the CEO Forum.
The evolving India Germany economic partnership is creating export opportunities in engineering products, green technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, telecommunications and advanced manufacturing.
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