Picture Credit: india.hss.de
Judith Weinberger-Singh, the newly appointed Resident Representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in India, believes in building bridges between cultures and economies. From being an honorary ambassador for the German India Startup Exchange Program (GINSEP), to founding the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) India-EU Business Council as one of the core members; Weinberger-Singh combines her deep passion for fostering Indo-German relations with years of on-the-ground experience. Inspired by India’s vibrant democracy and the active participation of its youth, she views India’s role becoming increasingly visible and important on a global scale.
In her new role at HSF, Judith aims to deepen the partnership between Bavaria and Karnataka, focusing on areas like climate change mitigation and sustainable development. Pooja Chaturvedi Sah from TheDialog converses with Judith Weinberger-Singh about her journey, her values, and her vision for strengthening India-Germany relations.
You have recently assumed the role of Resident Representative of Hanns Seidel Foundation in India. Could you tell us more about your role and the key projects and areas Hanns Seidel Foundation is focusing on in India?
Our main project areas derive from the Foundation’s guiding principles: democracy, development, and peace. In India, we work with our partners and experts on a range of issues, including resilience and non-traditional security projects such as climate change, women-led development, decentralized governance, and promoting regional youth dialogue. As Resident Representative, I am responsible for our operations and projects in India.
How do you envision enhancing the partnership between Bavaria and Karnataka through your work with HSF India?
The partnership between Bavaria and Karnataka dates back to 2007, and a lot has been achieved since then. Invest in Bavaria Bangalore and BayIND, the center for university and business cooperation, are certainly two flagship initiatives of this partnership and continue to be catalysts for Indo-Bavarian relations. Also, HSF India is playing an active role: In the backdrop of the partnership between the two states, a joint declaration between the two home ministries was signed in 2016, formalizing cooperation between the Karnataka State Police and the Bavarian Police. Since then, HSF India has been the coordinator for activities and delegations under this partnership.
Our aim is to foster existing links and help deepen areas of cooperation, while also supporting emerging and new areas that are of mutual relevance and importance to both partners and states. Given the wide range of issues where both Bavaria and Karnataka have common interests, strengths, or aligned goals, I believe there is great scope to further deepen the partnership in the future.
Besides the aforementioned topics and initiatives, this can also include areas relating to climate change mitigation, integrated water management for sustainable agriculture, and subnational/ municipal governance practices for localized implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This continues to be a holistic effort by various stakeholders in the ecosystem. HSF India is committed to continue supporting this endeavor.
Hanns Seidel Stiftung advocates for democracy and civic knowledge, especially among the youth. What is your definition of democracy in today’s multipolar world with shifting geopolitics? How do you see India in this context?
The recent national elections in India were historic in many ways. They were also a testament to India’s democratic DNA and vibrant democracy. India’s youth population is significant, so the participatory role of youth in democracy is paramount, as also reflected in the Election Commission’s social media campaign targeting first-time voters.
In a multipolar world with shifting geopolitical parameters, India’s role has also changed. Its position as a regional power and voice of the global South is becoming increasingly visible and important on a global scale. This was also evident during its G20 presidency in 2023, guided by the slogan “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Despite the increasing complexity of the sometimes-conflicting interests and objectives of the countries represented there, significant outcomes and results were achieved.
In your career, you have worked at the German business desk and served as head of projects for India-EU and India-Germany businesses. How can India, Germany, and the EU enhance their trade and investment ties? What do you see as the main challenges and opportunities in the India-EU/Germany relationship?
EU-India free trade negotiations were re-launched about two years ago. In total, they comprise three major agreements that provide a comprehensive framework for increased economic interaction between the two sides. At the same time, given the holistic nature of the agreements, they also involve complexities that require careful consideration on both sides. Already now there is already a significant and growing trade and investment relationship between the EU/Germany and India.
The long-standing strategic partnerships in science, technology and key sectors such as (renewable) energy have also created numerous business and investment opportunities. In the post-pandemic era, where diversified global value chains have become more important, this trend is expected to continue.
You have been an honorary ambassador of the German India Startup Exchange Program (GINSEP) since 2019 and a founding member of the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) India-EU Business Council. How do such programs and initiatives strengthen people-to-people ties and value-based partnerships between India and Germany?
The German India Startup Exchange Programme has established itself as an enabling platform for startups from both countries, backed by well-curated networks of experts and enablers. Through various types of demand-driven people-to-people formats, GINSEP’s Project Director Julian Zix and his team have done a tremendous job in shaping and enriching the bilateral startup ecosystem.
As for the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) India-EU Business Council, this is an initiative that is very close to my heart. Essentially, we are trying to create an active network of women in the field of EU-India relations who enable and support each other. Often women leaders and experts are under-represented or not represented at all in certain public fora and narratives. We want to change that. We have curated a pool of women with expertise in different fields – actively contributing to a more diverse body of knowledge and discussion.
What are the critical areas for India-Germany cooperation, especially in the context of the upcoming consultations in New Delhi?
The long list of bilateral initiatives, partnerships, and projects is truly commendable in terms of its comprehensiveness and level of technical and strategic depth. In my view, this provides an excellent basis for further developing selected areas or issues of mutual interest and current or future priority.
I believe that the Sustainable Green Development Partnership, established during the previous consultations in May 2022, certainly encompasses such critical areas, among others.
You have been awarded the title of Europe India 40 under 40 Leaders. In your opinion, what is the most critical quality of a leader?
I believe that the word ‘leader’ is a very broad one, and its use often projects one’s own definition of it. My personal take on the concept of leadership is largely value-based. In the past, I have been privileged to work for and with some truly inspiring people who I would call leaders and who have shaped my thinking and behaviour throughout my journey. I have always valued leadership that “walks the talk” and is based on the principles of trust, responsibility, integrity, and meritocracy.
