Economic collaboration, talent mobility and long-term business engagement between India and Germany took centre stage at the IKD Networking Evening held in New Delhi on 29 January, as senior policymakers, industry leaders and business representatives gathered to assess the evolving trajectory of bilateral ties.
Organised by the India Competence Centre Düsseldorf (IKD), the event brought together stakeholders from German institutions, industry bodies and companies with active interests in the Indian market, underscoring the growing depth and breadth of the Indo-German economic relationship.
People-to-people ties gain strategic importance
Opening the evening, Georg Enzweiler, Deputy German Ambassador to India, delivered the keynote address on the shifting dynamics of Indo-German economic relations and future perspectives. He underlined that people-to-people connections are becoming a defining pillar of the partnership, pointing out that over 300,000 Indians currently reside in Germany, including nearly 60,000 students pursuing higher education at German universities.
Enzweiler described academic exchange and skilled labour mobility as a win-win proposition, particularly at a time when Germany is grappling with demographic challenges and India continues to expand its skilled talent base. He stressed that bilateral cooperation must extend beyond policy documents and headline figures, noting that companies, institutions and individuals play a decisive role in translating strategic intent into measurable outcomes.
Highlighting the role of institutional platforms, he said initiatives such as the India Competence Centre Düsseldorf provide a structured framework to strengthen regional cooperation and deepen economic engagement between the two countries.
Düsseldorf positions itself as a gateway for Indian businesses
A dedicated session on the India Competence Centre Düsseldorf followed, featuring Dr Stephan Keller, Mayor of Düsseldorf; Andreas Schmitz, President of the Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Düsseldorf); and Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Düsseldorf.
The speakers outlined the mandate of the IKD, jointly established by the City of Düsseldorf, IHK Düsseldorf and Messe Düsseldorf. The centre is designed to support companies from North Rhine-Westphalia as they enter the Indian market, while also assisting Indian firms and start-ups seeking to set up operations in the Düsseldorf region.
Düsseldorf was presented as a strategic hub offering seamless access to European markets, robust logistics infrastructure, a strong industrial base and an internationally diverse workforce—factors increasingly relevant for Indian companies with global expansion ambitions.
Panel highlights investment sentiment and sectoral opportunities
The evening also featured a high-level panel discussion on success models, emerging sectors and strategic partnerships between Düsseldorf and India. Moderated by Ferdinand Schlechta, Head of the India Competence Centre Düsseldorf, the panel included Millie Contractor, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf India; Jan Nöther, Director General of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce; Rajive Ranjan, Founder and CEO of Techno Design GmbH; Christian Zaum, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development of Düsseldorf; and a representative from Henkel AG.
Panelists examined investment trends and market entry strategies against the backdrop of India’s economic growth and the evolving EU–India trade landscape. While acknowledging challenges related to regulatory complexity and market access, speakers noted that German companies remain optimistic about long-term engagement in India, particularly across manufacturing, engineering, information technology and innovation-led sectors.
Düsseldorf was repeatedly cited as a preferred entry point for Indian enterprises aiming to establish a foothold in Germany and the wider European market.
Strengthening institutional and business linkages
The event concluded with a networking dinner, enabling informal exchanges among participants from government, industry and business. Organisers said the IKD Networking Evening is part of a broader, ongoing effort to reinforce institutional collaboration and business partnerships between India and the Düsseldorf–North Rhine-Westphalia region, as both sides look to build resilient and future-ready economic ties.
