And for a Friday after the first post-covid IGCC Board meeting in Bangalore, some thoughts….. some musings…..
It’s strange but true. For a keen observer of Germany and India Trade and Business relationships and a great admirer of Germany’s post World War economic growth, the punctuality, discipline and productivity, as of today the tables seem to be turning. Germany is struggling with its Energy crisis, highest inflation and overall staring at the brink of a recession and India is an island of comparative economic stability with the highest growth rates and a manageable inflation. Germany is a hugely export oriented economy being the largest exporter after only US and China. Increased political tensions between the Western World and China, the supply side logistics breakdowns due Covid and the aftermath of current Russian invasion of Ukraine, have all combined to adversely affect Europe in general but Germany seems to be most impacted by the medium and long term consequences. Only time will tell. But I hope and pray for this traffic light coalition in Germany to meander thru this crisis. May Germany, India’s very valuable trade and technology partner be restored to its pristine glory.
The IGCC ( Indo German Chamber of Commerce ) is the largest bi-nation chamber in the world and has been active and influential in promoting closer business relations between our two countries. By its charter is headed as President every year by a German CEO in India followed by an Indian CEO fully supported by a very committed and capable DG and his staff based in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. Every year a high level delegation of the Chamber accompanied by the Ambassadors of India and Germany visit various centres of manufacturing and research excellence to promote bilateral investments, business understanding and conduct the annual AGM in Dusseldorf. I have have been privileged to visit with the delegation for the last more than two decades. It was therefore a great honour that the first physical Board meeting was hosted by Sindhu Gangadharan, the Dynamic MD and head of SAP labs in their campus in Bengaluru. The campus itself is an engineering marvel as every aspect of its construction and management is world class and totally environment and staff friendly. The guided tour inside the campus was as educative as refreshing.
Times are getting tougher. Economic and political volatility mandates every large populous nation to be ever prepared and self sufficient. Each one of us must support the economic strengthening of India, the equitable way, the globally linked way, the SEEGOS way.