New Delhi: Germany could become an importer of green hydrogen from India in the coming years as the country emerges as an energy exporter, German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann said on Thursday.
Speaking at the Indo-German Industries Dialogue organised by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Ackermann said renewable energy would remain a strategic pillar of India-Germany ties, with both countries expanding cooperation in green hydrogen technologies, ANI reported.
“I think India in a couple of years will be an energy exporter. Germany might be a country that is a client of this green hydrogen in the future,” Ackermann said.
He said the two countries were already working closely on hydrogen technologies and noted that Germany’s relevant ministry was collaborating with India on concrete green hydrogen initiatives.
Referring to a recent visit to the Adani Group’s renewable energy project in Kutch, Gujarat, Ackermann said he was impressed by the scale of India’s solar and wind energy capacity and the country’s ambitions to develop a green hydrogen industry.
The envoy also highlighted the memorandum of understanding between Thyssenkrupp and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to localise alkaline water electrolyser technology in India. He said combining electrolysis technology with India’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities would support the rollout of green hydrogen projects.
Beyond clean energy, Ackermann identified artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital manufacturing and Industry 5.0 as emerging areas for deeper bilateral collaboration. He said a bilateral AI partnership launched earlier this year aims to combine India’s software capabilities with Germany’s industrial expertise while improving market access for startups and small businesses.
On trade, Ackermann described the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a potential “game changer” for German companies operating in India. He expressed hope that negotiations would conclude by the end of the year, allowing the agreement to be implemented in the first half of next year.
Germany remains India’s largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade exceeding US$50 billion annually, he said, adding that the FTA could further strengthen investment and commercial ties between the two countries.
Commenting separately on the proposed India-Germany submarine deal, Ackermann said he was optimistic that the agreement could be signed in the coming weeks.
