Abstract: In the backdrop of a rapidly changing global landscape, this lecture explores the evolving relationship between India and Germany with a particular emphasis on sustainable development and geoeconomics. As two of the world's leading economies and significant actors on the global stage and their respective regions, India and Germany have deepened their partnership in areas of shared interests and through mutual goals. The presentation will therefore examine the strategic significance of this bilateral relationship in the context of the shared objective of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, the principal areas of collaboration will be addressed, and a selection of examples of projects undertaken by the Hanns Seidel Foundation in India will be presented. The latter will be employed to elucidate the role of German political foundations in the context of foreign policy and bilateral relationships. Also taking into account geopolitics, the presentation aims to define strategic key aspects of the India-Germany partnership within the broader context of international relations, particularly in light of shifting power dynamics and the increasing significance of the Indo-Pacific region. It will consider how both nations leverage their influence in regional and global forums to promote stability, peace, and a rules-based international order. The lecture strives to highlight how India and Germany are working together to enhance economic resilience, foster technological cooperation, and explore new avenues for economic engagement in a world increasingly defined by economic interdependence. Consequently, the lecture aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the evolving India-Germany relationship and its implications for global sustainability, security, and prosperity.
About the speaker: About the Speaker; Judith Weinberger-Singh is a German national born in Zwiesel, Bavaria. After completing her bachelor's degree at the University of Passau, Judith graduated with distinction from the University of Glasgow in Scotland with a master’s of science degree in business and economics with a focus on internationalization. Responsible for the German Business Desk at an international consulting firm, she was appointed in various locations, including Delhi (India) and Dubai (UAE). From 2017 to 2021, she served as the Head of Projects and Associate Director at the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) in New Delhi, where she strengthened economic cooperation between India, the EU and its member states. The scope of her work included EU projects, publicly funded partnership projects and initiatives at the intersection of research, industry, policy, and local administration. In her previous role as the Head of District Development in the Bavarian District of Regen and the Managing Director of district-owned development corporation, she worked closely with political decision-makers, authorities, ministries, and international partners on the future-oriented approach of regional development and local development policy. Since 2019, she is an honorary ambassador of the German India Startup Exchange Program (GINSEP) – an initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Additionally, she is founding member of the Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) India-EU Business Council. In 2020, Judith Weinberger-Singh was honoured with the title of Europe India 40 under 40 Leaders by the Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI).