Green hydrogen, free trade, skilled workers on the agenda as German lawmakers visit India

Germany's economy and climate minister Robet Habeck and Indian renewable energy minister Pralhad Joshi are set to unveil a green hydrogen roadmap during a meeting to bolster economic and political ties between the two nations in New Delhi this week. "India, the world's most populous country, is a key partner for the German economy in the Indo-Pacific and plays a decisive role in the diversification of the German economy," said Habeck ahead of the trip, adding that the countries will strengthen their "climate protection and energy policy cooperation."  

Germany is betting big on green hydrogen made with renewable electricity to help to decarbonise heavy industry with stubborn emissions. This week, the country unveiled plans for a 9000-kilometer H2 "core grid" to be finished by 2032, with first hydrogen pipeline flows expected next year. Germany has set out to become a leader in hydrogen technologies, also publishing a National Hydrogen Strategy to achieve those goals. But it will have to import a high share of the hydrogen it expects to use in the future because it cannot all be produced within Germany. The country has been expanding green hydrogen cooperation abroad, including in India, where it has established an Indo-German H2 task force.  

Before his departure, Habeck said he hoped for a quick conclusion of a free trade agreement that has long been in negotiation between India and the EU, adding he would see "if we can untie a few knots" on the trip, reported Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). "The task now is to further expand, consolidate and deepen foreign trade relations between India, Germany and the entire Indo-Pacific region. We need to reduce critical dependencies and strengthen the resilience of German companies and their supply chains to and from Asia," said Habeck in a statement.

Alongside the business delegation, Habeck is also accompanied by the SPD labour minister Hubertus Heil who intends to discuss recruitment of skilled workers to Germany, with Heil describing India as an "ideal partner" as the world's most populous country with a huge workforce, according to FAZ. German chancellor Olaf Scholz is also visiting India for a government consultation where he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to discuss geopolitical and economic matters, reported ARD.