Piyush Goyal’s Berlin visit puts India–EU FTA at the centre of industrial ties

With the prospective India–European Union Free Trade Agreement in the works, the nation is looking to add a major ally to its fold—Germany. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday concluded a two-day visit to Germany after meeting with government officials, industry chiefs and research institutions in Berlin. And the FTA was front and centre.

In meetings with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, Goyal discussed how the proposed agreement could expand market access, strengthen supply chains and turn diplomatic negotiation into industrial investment.

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the opportunity for Indian businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, lies in Germany’s demand for engineering, pharmaceuticals, textiles, renewable energy and technology-enabled services.

Goyal urged Indian firms to focus on quality, compliance and reliability—areas that will determine whether Indian suppliers can become long-term partners rather than occasional exporters.

And Germany’s companies need diversified supply chains, skilled talent and access to a large consumer market. Goyal held discussions with Siemens Healthineers, Bertelsmann, Volkswagen, and Škoda Auto on investment, industrial cooperation and sustainable mobility. The union minister also met Bayer, Knauf and Fresenius representatives during the visit.

With semiconductor and battery tech becoming major industry determinators, Goyal held discussions with heads of Fraunhofer Institutes on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, logistics and battery technologies. He also met Indian researchers and students in Germany. “Highlighted how German precision technology & India’s skilled talent can come together to drive innovation at an affordable cost,” Goyal said about his interactions.

During the visit, he also inaugurated the India Centre at the German Council on Foreign Relations, intended to support policy research and dialogue on bilateral relations.

Goyal has extended India’s hand to Germany. The real test, now, will be execution of the FTA. And India’s challenge will be to convert German interest in resilience and talent into investments, joint research, and durable supply-chain partnerships.