India, Germany to Launch Centre of Excellence on Climate, Energy and Urban Mobility

Gandhinagar | Gujarat — Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Germany are all set to launch India-Germany Centre of Excellence, which will be a joint platform for knowledge, technology and innovation, where new projects in the areas like climate change, energy, urgan development and urban mobility will be taken up. PM Modi said this during the bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on Monday. 

The German Councillor and PM Modi jointly inaugurated the three-day long  international kite festival 2026 before visiting Gandhi Ashram where the duo paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and visited the Hridaykunj on Monday. 

“India and Germany have similar priorities in the renewable energy sector. To enhance this cooperation, we have decided to set up an India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will be a joint platform for knowledge, technology and innovation. We are jointly taking forward new projects in areas like climate, energy, urban development and urban mobility” said PM Modi at the press conference in Gandhinagar.

“Swami Vivekanandaji built a bridge of philosophy, knowledge and soul between India and Germany. Chancellor Merz’s visit is providing new energy, new confidence and new expansion to the same bridge. This is his first visit not only to India but also to Asia as Chancellor” said the PM..

Close cooperation between economies like India and Germany is important for the entire humanity. “Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high and has crossed the $50 billion mark. More than 2,000 German companies have been in India for a long time” said PM Modi

There is a strong bond of historical and deep-rooted relations between India and Germany. The works of Rabindranath Tagore gave a new perspective to the intellectual world of Germany, the ideology of Swami Vivekananda inspired the whole of Europe including Germany and Madame Cama raised the flag of India’s independence for the first time in Germany and gave global recognition to our aspirations for independence. 

“Today, we are transforming this historic relationship into a modern partnership. Special emphasis has been given to increasing migration, mobility and screening. India’s talented youth power is making a significant contribution to the German economy. The Joint Declaration of Intent issued today on the Global Skills Partnership is a symbol of this trust, which will make the movement of healthcare professionals, in particular, easier”

PM Modi has invited German universities to open campuses in India. He also thanked German Councillor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens. This will further increase the closeness between the people of both countries. 

“I am happy that the German Maritime Museum is being connected to the National Maritime Heritage Complex being built in Lothal, Gujarat. Gujarat Ayurveda University has been collaborating with Germany in the field of traditional medicine. The MOU being signed today on this important subject will further strengthen our cooperation” said PM Modi.

“The Indo-Pacific is a high priority for both countries. We are going to launch a consultation mechanism to enhance our coordination in these countries. Today, we have discussed in detail several global and regional issues, including Ukraine and Gaza. India has been in favor of peaceful resolution of all problems and disputes. We support all efforts being made in this direction. We are unanimous that terrorism is a serious threat to the entire humanity. India and Germany will continue to fight it unitedly and resolutely. India and Germany agree that reforms in global institutions are of utmost importance to meet global challenges. Our joint efforts through the G-4 to reform the UN Security Council are a testament to this ideology”