India and Germany Sign AI Pact to Counter US-China Dominance

The Government of India and the Federal Government of Germany signed a flagship AI Pact during the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation Karsten Wildberger stated the agreement prioritizes safety, accessibility, and technological sovereignty to create viable alternatives within a global AI ecosystem currently dominated by the United States and China.

Concurrent with the pact, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft deepened its technological ties with India at the Indo-German Innovation and Technology Forum. This partnership focuses on transitioning research from laboratories to markets in fields such as internet security, quantum technology, and 5G/6G. Officials highlighted a synergy between India's scalable digital public infrastructure and Germany's expertise in regulation and data protection, with a specific emphasis on applying AI to healthcare, agriculture, and governance.

European diplomatic efforts expanded further as Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof visited New Delhi and Bengaluru. Schoof advocated for closer collaboration between Europe and India in AI and semiconductor manufacturing to reduce dependence on US and Chinese technology. The Netherlands is currently finalizing a broader strategic agreement with India covering agriculture, water management, and chips.