Photo Credit: linkedin.com/in/tobias-gotthardt
Bavaria is intensifying its economic and technology engagement with India, with Tobias Gotthardt, Vice Minister at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, undertaking a four-day business and innovation mission across Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru aimed at strengthening partnerships in sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace and defence manufacturing.
The visit, conducted under the banner of Invest in Bavaria, comes as India and the European Union move closer to concluding a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a development that both Indian and German stakeholders believe could significantly expand trade, investment and industrial collaboration.
Throughout the visit, Minister Gotthardt met senior government officials, business leaders and industry representatives, while promoting Bavaria as a destination for Indian investment and exploring opportunities for deeper cooperation between Indian and Bavarian companies.
Bavaria Sees Strategic Opportunity in India
Ahead of the visit, Minister Gotthardt described India as a key economic partner for Bavaria and highlighted the strength of existing bilateral ties.
Beginning his India tour in Mumbai, he met German Consul General Christoph Hallier and underscored Bavaria’s long-standing relationship with India, which spans more than 25 years.
According to the Bavarian delegation, more than 400 Bavarian companies are already present in India, while approximately 200 Indian companies have established operations in Bavaria. The German state is also home to more than 60,000 people of Indian origin, making it one of the largest Indian communities in Germany.
The visit was designed to build on these existing linkages while identifying new opportunities arising from India’s rapid economic growth and the prospect of an India-EU trade agreement.
Mumbai Engagements Focus on Industry and Investment
A significant portion of the mission focused on Mumbai, India’s financial capital and the economic hub of Maharashtra.
During the visit, Minister Gotthardt met Maharashtra’s Principal Secretary for Industries, Dr P. Anbalagan, to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation between Bavaria and one of India’s most industrialised states.
The discussions focused on expanding business exchanges, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), fostering startup collaboration and leveraging Maharashtra’s position as a gateway for international investment into India.
Minister Gotthardt described Maharashtra as a key partner in Bavaria’s efforts to deepen economic engagement with India and said the state would play an important role in future trade and investment initiatives.
Meetings with Tata Leadership
The Bavarian delegation also engaged with senior leaders of the Tata Group, one of India’s largest and most influential business conglomerates.
Minister Gotthardt visited the Tata Experience Centre in Mumbai, where he reviewed the history and evolution of the Tata Group, founded by Jamsetji Tata in the nineteenth century and now operating across more than 100 countries.
He also met Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to discuss economic cooperation and opportunities to strengthen links between Bavarian and Indian businesses.
The Tata Group has extensive business relationships in Germany and Europe through its operations in information technology, automotive manufacturing, steel, aviation, telecommunications, chemicals and other sectors.
The discussions reflected Bavaria’s interest in strengthening ties with leading Indian conglomerates that already maintain significant global footprints.
Godrej Group Highlights Scope for Industrial Collaboration
Another major engagement in Mumbai involved the Godrej Group, one of India’s oldest and most diversified business houses.
Minister Gotthardt met Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce, for discussions on industrial development, innovation and opportunities for future collaboration.
Founded in 1897, the Godrej Group today operates across sectors including engineering, consumer products, real estate, security solutions, household appliances and agriculture.
The meeting highlighted Bavaria’s interest in working with established Indian industrial groups as part of broader efforts to deepen economic and technological cooperation.
Hyderabad Visit Focuses on AI, Quantum Technologies and Life Sciences
The second leg of the mission took Minister Gotthardt to Hyderabad, one of India’s leading centres for technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation.
On 4 July 2026, Minister Gotthardt met Telangana Industries and Information Technology Minister D. Sridhar Babu to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The discussions examined opportunities for collaboration between government institutions, universities, research centres and industry in both regions. Areas identified for potential cooperation included AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, aerospace, defence technologies and innovation-led manufacturing.
The engagement reflects growing interest from both Telangana and Bavaria in building partnerships around emerging technologies that are expected to shape future industrial competitiveness.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Strengthens Bavaria Connection
During his Hyderabad visit, Minister Gotthardt also met Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Co-Chairman and Managing Director G.V. Prasad.
The meeting highlighted the longstanding links between the Indian pharmaceutical major and Bavaria following Dr. Reddy’s acquisition of German generic drug company betapharm in Augsburg in 2006.
Minister Gotthardt discussed the company’s future plans and developments while reaffirming Bavaria’s support for continued growth and investment at the Augsburg location.
The engagement underscored the role that Indian companies are increasingly playing in Bavaria’s economy and industrial ecosystem.
Bharat Biotech Showcases India’s Biotechnology Strength
Minister Gotthardt also visited Bharat Biotech, one of India’s leading biotechnology companies and a globally recognised vaccine manufacturer.
During discussions with Raches Ella, Chief Development Officer of Bharat Biotech, the Bavarian delegation received an overview of the company’s research, development and manufacturing capabilities.
The visit also highlighted the importance of Hyderabad’s Genome Valley, India’s largest biotechnology and life sciences cluster, which hosts more than 200 companies involved in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical research.
The discussions reflected growing interest in cooperation between Indian and Bavarian stakeholders in healthcare innovation, biotechnology and life sciences research.
Bengaluru Visit Highlights Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing
The final leg of the mission brought Minister Gotthardt to Bengaluru, India’s aerospace and technology capital.
On 11 July 2026, he visited Hical Technologies, a Bengaluru-based manufacturer of precision electromechanical systems serving global aerospace and defence platforms.
During the visit, Minister Gotthardt toured the company’s manufacturing units, design centre and research and development facilities, gaining insight into its engineering capabilities and advanced manufacturing processes.
The discussions focused on aerospace technologies, industrial innovation, supply-chain resilience and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between Bavarian and Indian companies.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Gotthardt said: “It is a privilege to visit Hical Technologies and witness its advanced manufacturing capabilities, engineering expertise and research facilities. Bavaria and India have built a strong partnership based on innovation, trust and collaboration. As aerospace, space and defence become increasingly important sectors, there is significant potential to strengthen industrial partnerships, build resilient supply chains and create new opportunities for businesses in both regions.”
India’s growing aerospace and defence ecosystem formed an important backdrop to the discussions. Defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in FY2025-26, reflecting the country’s expanding role in global manufacturing and defence supply chains.
Building on a Broader India-Germany Partnership
The Bengaluru engagement also built on discussions held during the India-Germany Defence Industry Roundtable in Munich in April 2026, where Hical Technologies Managing Director Yashas Jaiveer participated alongside industry leaders and government representatives from both countries.
As India and Germany seek to expand cooperation in defence manufacturing, advanced engineering and strategic technologies, such industry-level interactions are increasingly being viewed as important building blocks for deeper bilateral collaboration.
Bavaria Looks Beyond Trade to Innovation Partnerships
The broader significance of Minister Gotthardt’s India mission lies in its emphasis on innovation, technology and industrial partnerships rather than traditional trade promotion alone.
Bavaria is Germany’s largest state economy and one of Europe’s leading centres for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive engineering, biotechnology and deep-tech innovation.
Across meetings in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the common theme was the search for new partnerships in sectors expected to drive future growth, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defence.
With India emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations entering a decisive phase, both sides see significant opportunities to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation, manufacturing and investment.
Minister Gotthardt’s India mission reflects Bavaria’s intention to play a leading role in that next chapter of India-Germany economic relations, building on decades of cooperation while expanding into the technologies and industries that are expected to define the future.
