Germany eyes collaboration with Indian startups after China alarm

German authorities are eyeing closer collaboration with Indian startups in mobility, health, energy and advanced materials among other fields, said a German government official, after regulatory and political troubles with China led to a shift in focus toward India.

- Shashank Mattoo

China’s harsh covid-era restrictions also proved an obstacle to German firms, said the official.

The city of Berlin, a leading hub for German startups, is particularly interested in building collaborations with Indian startups. AsiaBerlin, an initiative set up and funded by the government of Berlin, will send a delegation of German startups to India for collaborations with the Indian startup ecosystem.

The delegation of startups will visit New Delhi and Bengaluru and is expected to participate in the Bangalore Tech Summit. Under a similar programme, the Berlin government hopes to send more founders and research institutions to India next year in an effort to deepen collaborations between the startup ecosystems.