Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 2: India and Germany today explored a future-oriented partnership primarily in quantum satellite communication and quantum communication, as also in photonics, Space technologies and deep-tech innovation when Mario Voigt, Minister-President of the State of Thuringia, Germany, currently on India visit, called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh.
The meeting brought together representatives from Government, research institutions and industry from both sides to identify pathways for connecting innovation ecosystems and accelerating collaboration in frontier technologies.
The meeting was attended by Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Director General, CSIR, along with senior officials from the Department of Science & Technology, Department of Space, DRDO and other scientific institutions. The German delegation was led by Mario Voigtand included Christiane Kilian, Member of the Executive Board, Foundation for Technology, Innovation and Research Thuringia, besides representatives from government, research organisations, industry and technology institutions.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr Jitendra Singh said India and Germany share a strong partnership rooted in science, technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.
Recalling the celebration of 50 years of India-Germany Science and Technology Cooperation in 2024, he said scientific collaboration has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of bilateral engagement and continues to create new opportunities in frontier areas of research, innovation and industrial development. Recognising Thuringia’s emergence as a major European hub for photonics, optics, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing, both sides explored opportunities for long-term institutional partnerships in frontier technologies. The discussions focused on leveraging the complementary strengths of India and Germany and promoting deeper engagement among Governments, scientific institutions, startups and industry to accelerate the translation of research into globally competitive technologies, products and innovation-driven enterprises.
A major focus of the meeting was cooperation in quantum technologies and photonics, areas identified by both sides as critical to future technological competitiveness. Particular attention was given to opportunities in quantum communication, quantum satellite communication, optical ground stations, quantum networks and advanced photonics technologies, where India and Thuringia possess complementary strengths and capabilities.
The German side shared details of ongoing European initiatives relating to quantum communication infrastructure and optical communication systems, including developments under the EuroOGS network, which seeks to advance standardisation and interoperability in optical ground station technologies. Discussions also covered possibilities for scientific engagement, exchange of expertise and future collaboration involving research institutions, technology organisations and innovation ecosystems from both sides.
The discussions reflected the growing strategic importance being attached globally to quantum technologies and the increasing need for international collaboration in the field. Dr Jitendra Singh shared the progress achieved under India’s National Quantum Mission, including advances in secure quantum communication and related technologies. Both sides exchanged perspectives on emerging developments in quantum computing, quantum communication and associated infrastructure and recognised the potential for deeper cooperation in research, standards development, talent exchange and technology partnerships.
Recognising that future technological leadership will increasingly depend on stronger partnerships between Governments, research institutions and industry, both sides discussed collaborative frameworks bringing together public institutions, universities, scientific laboratories, startups and private enterprises. The discussions emphasised the importance of translating research outcomes into deployable technologies, scalable products and globally competitive deep-tech enterprises.
Dr Jitendra Singh said India’s scientific progress is increasingly being driven by integrated partnerships involving academia, research laboratories, startups and industry. He added that India welcomes collaborations that facilitate the exchange of researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and doctoral scholars while creating pathways for joint technology development, industrial innovation and commercialisation.
The Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) and other bilateral mechanisms that have supported industry-oriented research projects, innovation partnerships and researcher exchange programmes over the years. He said the next phase of India-Germany scientific cooperation offers significant opportunities in quantum technologies, photonics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, space technologies and deep-tech entrepreneurship.
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