Germany and India as Strategic Partners: Industrial Transformation, Innovation and Talent in a Changing Global Economy
The 8th German Indian Business Summit 2026 brings together leaders from government, diplomacy, industry, technology, finance, academia and the German-Indian business community to strengthen cooperation between Germany and India.
Taking place in Bremen, the Summit focuses on the opportunities emerging from a rapidly changing global economy, particularly in industrial transformation, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, deep technology, human-centric innovation and international business cooperation.
The Summit provides a platform for high-level dialogue, knowledge exchange and meaningful networking, with the aim of turning German-Indian partnerships into practical opportunities for business, innovation and sustainable growth.
Opening & Distinguished Guests
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Venue: Hochschule Bremen, Werderstr. 73, 28199 Bremen, Room A 301
Registration: 14:30 CEST
Programme: 15:00–18:30 CEST, followed by networking reception and Indian dinner.
The Summit opens with a welcome address by Dr. Shazia Wülbers, Co-Founder of GIBS.
The opening session brings together distinguished representatives from Bremen, India and German industry, including:
Chief Guest:
Maike Frese
Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation, Bremen
Guest Keynote Address:
Shri Abhishek Dubey
Deputy Chief of Mission
Embassy of India, Berlin
Guest of Honor:
Shri Raakesh Natraj Jayabhaskaran
Consul General
Consulate General of India, Hamburg
Keynote Speaker:
Klemens Kober
Director, Trade Policy, EU Customs & Transatlantic Relations
DIHK, Brussels
Keynote: “Germany and India as Strategic Partners”
Panel I: Industrial Transformation / Energy / Renewables
15:45–16:30 CEST
This panel explores how Germany and India can deepen cooperation in industrial transformation, renewable energy, emerging technologies and sustainable economic development.
Moderator:
Gareth Hopkins
Director Renewable Energy & Hydrogen
Bremeninvest, Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen
Panelists: Marc Höhne, Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development, Combi Lift Projekt GmbH & Co. KG; Neena Hartmann, Managing Director, Haus der Kulturen Düsseldorf and Publisher, INDIEN aktuell; Vikram Rajput, CTO, Aldott Tech Solution; and Dr. Satish Batra, Founder, Horizon Group of Companies.
Panel II: Deep Tech / AI / Human-Centric Innovation
17:00–17:45 CEST
Artificial intelligence and deep technologies are transforming industries, organisations and societies. This discussion examines how technological innovation can remain economically relevant while keeping people and human needs at its centre.
Moderator:
Dr. Deepak Das
Vice President, German Indian Business Society (GIBS)
Panelists: Dr. Yojna Sah Jain, CEO, HealthPrax, Berlin; Prof. Peter Kabel, CEO, CogniWerk.ai, Hamburg; Axel Angeli, Cybernetician, Logosworld, Brühl; Pranjal Kothari, Board Member, Sparkasse Bremen; Arvind Sinha, Vice President, Atos, Hamburg; and Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, State Board Member, CDU Thuringia.
Appreciation, Networking & Indian Dinner
The Summit concludes with a Presentation of German- Indian Pesonality 2025 & 2026 Appreciation by Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Founder of GIBS, and Dr. Shazia Wülbers, Co-Founder of GIBS.
The formal programme closes with a Vote of Thanks by Rakesh Veauli, Executive Member of GIBS, followed by a Networking Reception and Indian Dinner, providing participants with an opportunity to continue discussions, establish new contacts and explore future German-Indian collaborations.
Strengthening Partnerships. Building Futures.
Together for Innovation, Sustainability and Growth.
The 8th German Indian Business Summit 2026 continues the GIBS mission of creating a long-term platform connecting Germany and India through business, innovation, investment, technology, talent and people-to-people cooperation.
