In a significant step towards strengthening sub-national ties, Uttarakhand and the German state of Hesse have signed a first-of-its-kind state-level cooperation agreement covering key sectors such as automotive, healthcare, and higher education.
The agreement was formalised at Doon University in Dehradun in the presence of a German delegation from Frankfurt, underlining the growing scope of Indo-German collaboration through regional and institutional partnerships.
Bridging Regions Through Partnerships
David Rendel, Mayor of Raunheim and member of the German delegation, described the initiative as a vital bridge-building exercise between India and Germany.
“It’s a great pleasure to have the opportunity to build bridges between Germany and the Rhein-Main area and the cities of Raunheim, Russelsheim and Kelsterbach and the Outre-Kant region. We are very happy that we could be here at the university, meet with the minister. This is a great step for us,” Rendel said, speaking to ANI.
He added that the delegation looked forward to meeting Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take the next steps in knowledge exchange and empowerment.
Scope for Collaboration: Automotive, Healthcare and Universities
Highlighting the areas of potential, Rendel noted that the Rhein-Main region — home to Frankfurt — has a strong automotive base, an expanding healthcare industry, and a robust higher education system.
“We support languages and the exchange between languages. We have many universities where you can study in multiple languages. I think this is a good foundation for connection between our countries,” he said.
The visit aims to facilitate deeper institutional linkages between German universities and Indian counterparts while opening new channels for sector-specific cooperation.
Germany Reaffirms Support for Free Trade
Alongside state-level engagement, broader trade concerns also came into focus. Georg Enzweiler, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in India, reiterated Germany’s consistent stand on tariffs.
“Tariffs are obstacles to free trade. We would always be in favour of reducing tariffs to the minimum level,” he said.
Enzweiler stressed that India and Germany share common interests in stabilising a volatile global order.
“I think Germany’s and India’s interests are aligned. The international order is in a volatile state at the moment, and India and Germany can play an important role in stabilising the international order and preserving it,” he added.
EU–India Free Trade Agreement on Track
On the ongoing India–EU free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, Enzweiler sounded an optimistic note.
“The signals we are getting are very positive, we hope that we will see the negotiations come to a fruitful result near the end of the year. The PM and President of the EU Commission have indicated that they would like to see finalisation of the agreement by the end of 2025. We are hopeful that it will happen,” he said.
The German delegation’s engagements in Dehradun, including the upcoming meeting with Chief Minister Dhami, mark a new chapter in state-to-state cooperation within the broader Indo-German partnership, bringing a sharper regional focus to bilateral ties.
