India and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in sustainable development and green energy as India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain, on 1 July, 2025.
The meeting marked an important step forward for the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, which both sides have identified as a key pillar of bilateral relations.
Focus on Green Energy and Urban Development
During the talks, Sitharaman congratulated Alabali-Radovan on her recent appointment as Federal Minister and outlined India’s priorities under the Indo-German partnership. Both ministers discussed collaborations spanning green and renewable energy, sustainable urban mobility, ecological livelihoods, and urban development.
Germany expressed keen interest in expanding joint efforts with India in these sectors. Alabali-Radovan conveyed Germany’s desire for closer engagement and said Berlin sees India as an essential partner in advancing sustainable development goals.
India Showcases Green Growth Story
Earlier in Seville, Sitharaman addressed the International Business Forum Leadership Summit, highlighting India’s achievements in attracting private capital for sustainable projects. She pointed to India’s dramatic rise in solar power capacity—from 2.8 GW in 2014 to over 110 GW—as evidence of effective policy, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence.
Sitharaman acknowledged that despite growth in private finance, emerging economies still face significant barriers. “Private capital mobilisation remains well below required levels, especially in low and middle-income countries,” she noted, calling for focused global efforts to unlock investments aligned with development priorities.
India, she added, has tackled investment risks by establishing independent regulators, implementing transparent bidding processes, and streamlining business regulations, significantly improving investor confidence.
Bilateral Meetings with Global Leaders
Apart from her engagement with Germany, Sitharaman held bilateral talks with several other leaders on the sidelines of the FFD4 summit. She met New Zealand’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Shane Reti, to discuss collaborations in defence, technology, education, and agriculture. The two leaders reaffirmed shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties between India and New Zealand.
The Finance Minister also spotlighted opportunities in India’s International Financial Services Centre at GIFT City, highlighting investment avenues across banking, bullion exchange, fintech, and insurance sectors.
Next Stops: Portugal and Brazil
Sitharaman is currently on an official visit covering Spain, Portugal, and Brazil from June 30 to July 5. Her itinerary includes meetings in Lisbon with Portugal’s Finance Minister, as well as interactions with the Indian diaspora and business community.
In Brazil, Sitharaman will attend the 10th Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) as India’s Governor and participate in the first BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Rio de Janeiro. She is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with her counterparts from Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Russia.
The India-Germany meeting in Seville underscored the growing Indo-European synergy on sustainability, with both nations pledging to translate their shared vision into concrete projects for a greener future.
