VDMA calls for stronger industrial links between India and Europe

VDMA president Bertram Kawlath highlighted India’s importance to European engineering at a Pune summit on October 9. The association said German machinery exports to India rose 11% in the first half.

Shipments reached €2.2 billion in the first six months of 2026, The Hindu reported, citing VDMA. The association linked India’s growing importance to rising demand, investment opportunities and efforts to diversify supply chains beyond China.

Around 600 VDMA member companies operate in India, producing or developing products locally and serving customers. The association regards the country as increasingly important for manufacturing, innovation and investment as well as sales.

A VDMA business survey found that 65% of engineering companies operating in India expected incoming orders to increase. Another measure of sentiment showed that 56% anticipated an improvement in their business situation.

Kawlath called for more trade, investment, technological cooperation and industrial ties. He said India and Europe could build one of the defining industrial partnerships of the coming decade.

VDMA also highlighted the potential for machinery-sector tariff reductions through an India–EU free trade agreement. The association urged broader reciprocal access to public procurement, arguing that this would deepen industrial cooperation.