New Delhi: The Indo-German collaboration took a significant step forward with the launch of a strategic knowledge paper on sustainable innovation in India. The paper, titled “From India to the World, How India can transform into a global product development and innovation hub,” was unveiled at a conference titled “Sustainability: The Technology Imperative for Our Future: German Innovations in India.”
The conference, organized by Fraunhofer and the German Embassy, brought together CEOs of top German companies, including Mercedes Benz, SAP, MERCK, Continental, Daimler Truck, FESTO, Siemens Healthineers, Bosch Global Software Technologies, and Infineon. The event highlighted the deepening collaboration between India and Germany in technological and sustainable innovation.
The knowledge paper, co-authored by Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer India; Soumya Gopinathan from Mercedes Benz Research Development India; and Dr. 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, emphasized 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, highlighted the significance 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.”
The event laid the groundwork for future partnerships, with discussions centered on how German technological innovations can support India’s sustainable development goals.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening Indo-German cooperation, emphasizing the pivotal role that technology and innovation will play in shaping a sustainable future.
The conference, organized by Fraunhofer and the German Embassy, brought together industry leaders and experts, including Gita Ghosh, Deputy General Manager, Strategic IP and Innovation Management, Mercedes-Benz R&D, India, Anshuman Awasthi, Sr. Vice President & Head of Innovation, Mercedes-Benz R&D, India, and Dr. Philip Ackermann, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan.
Balwant Rawat, Head of Intellectual Property and Tech Intelligence, Innovation Management, Mercedes-Benz R&D, India, and Soumya Gopinathan, Sr. Tech Lead, Mercedes-Benz R&D, India, also participated in the conference.