Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, concluded a productive three-day visit to Germany from October 6 to 9, emphasising India’s dedication to global sustainability and strengthening energy sector cooperation. The visit aligned with the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), where Joshi delivered a keynote speech showcasing India’s leadership in renewable energy initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance.
During his address on October 7, Joshi highlighted India’s remarkable progress in the renewable energy sector over the past decade. He urged for stronger international collaboration to tackle the challenges of the global energy transition, especially in emerging areas such as green shipping.
Throughout his visit, the minister held several key bilateral meetings with international leaders. He met Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to discuss potential partnerships in sustainable development. Joshi also engaged with Svenja Schulze, Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, to align both countries’ priorities in green energy.
One of the key highlights was Joshi’s interaction with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, where they discussed pressing global sustainability issues and the energy transition. He also met with other influential leaders such as Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum, and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), further advancing discussions on energy and sustainability.
In Berlin, Joshi had an important meeting with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor, who commended India’s swift growth in the renewable energy sector and its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy. Their discussions explored collaboration opportunities in areas such as green hydrogen, offshore wind, biogas, and solar waste recycling.
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In addition, Joshi interacted with the Indian diaspora in Germany, recognising their contributions to both Germany’s economy and India’s global influence. The visit followed the September launch of the India-Germany Platform for Investment in Renewable Energies during RE-INVEST 2024, further cementing the two nations’ commitment to expanding renewable energy cooperation.