India-Germany Cooperation on Innovation | 28 Feb 2023

Prelims: India-Germany Cooperation on innovation, Artificial Intelligence and 6G, Green Hydrogen, SDG, IPOI.

Mains: India-Germany Cooperation on innovation.

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister met with the German-Chancellor and agreed on a Vision Statement to enhance cooperation on innovation and technology.

  • It is considered to be the most comprehensive economic document signed between the two major economies to date.

What is the Vision Document all About?

  • It focuses on deepening ties between industry and spurring cooperation on development of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence and 6G.
  • This Cooperation aims at benefiting humanity and is firmly guided by their shared democratic values and respect for universal human rights.
    • India and Germany share a long history of cooperation in science and technology, research and innovation, institutionalized under the framework of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on ‘Cooperation in Scientific Research and Technological Development’ signed in May 1974.

What are the Key Highlights of the Meeting?

  • Green and Sustainable Development Partnership:
    • Both leaders discussed progress on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), which India and Germany had launched during the Indian PM’s visit to Berlin for the 6th IGC (Inter-Governmental Consultations).
    • The GSDP is an umbrella partnership that provides political guidance and steer to robust ties in climate action and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
    • Under this, Germany will also place €10 billion in new and additional commitments under their development cooperation portfolio in India.
  • Green Hydrogen:
    • Both countries agreed to cooperate on Green Hydrogen.
    • The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force was constituted in September 2022 and an Action Plan is close to finalization.
  • Triangular Development Cooperation:
    • During the sixth IGC, India and Germany agreed to work on development projects in third countries.
    • The four projects, announced in May 2022, are now in different stages of implementation:
      • Cameroon: Potato Seed Production through Rooted Apical Cuttings (RAC) Technology.
      • Malawi: Agri Business Incubator Models for Women in Agriculture & Food Systems
      • Ghana: Developing Bamboo-Based Enterprises for Sustainable Livelihood and Income Generation in Ghana
      • Peru: Development of a geospatial portal prototype for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru (MIDIS) interventions and social programs.
  • Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative:
  • Submarines:
    • The two countries discussed on the proposed deal for Germany to build jointly with India six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy.

What are the Key Facts About Germany?

  • Bordering Countries: Germany shares borders with nine countries, France, Luxembourg, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Poland.
  • Location: It is located in Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
  • Rivers: Danube, Rhine, Ems, Weser, Elbe and Oder
  • Forest: The Black Forest is Germany's largest and most famous wooded area located in the southwest near the Swiss border. It is the source of the Danube, one of Europe's longest rivers.
  • Form of Government: Germany is a federal parliamentary republic with a President as the head of state and a Chancellor as the head of government.
  • Main Industrial Regions: Ruhr, Hanover, Munich, Frankfurt am Main, and Stuttgart.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? (2009)

City     River

(a) Berlin : Rhine
(b) London : Thames
(c) New York : Hudson
(d) Vienna : Danube

Ans: (a)

Exp:

  • Berlin is situated at the Spree River, which runs through Germany and Northern Czech Republic. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Source: IE