In a candid and strategically pointed address at the second session of the News9 Global Summit, Günther H. Oettinger, former member and Vice President of the European Commission and former Minister President of the State of Baden-Württemberg, advocated for Europe and India to deepen their ties significantly.
Speaking at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Oettinger asserted that such a robust partnership is not merely beneficial but essential for both entities to flourish in an increasingly complex world. He starkly contrasted the challenges posed by the United States under a “special” Donald Trump and an “autocratic” China, positioning India and Europe as natural democratic allies.
“I see India democratic, great and I see good old Europe,” Oettinger remarked, laying the foundation for his argument. He acknowledged the long-standing partnership between Europe and Germany with the US, but cautioned, “It is more and more difficult to deepen this partnership because Trump is special.”
Oettinger elaborated, citing Trump’s policies and sanctions as significant hurdles to fostering deeper friendship. He drew a parallel for India, noting, “It is also difficult for India to deepen ties with the US”, citing ‘What Trump has done with India,’ by levelling huge tariffs.”
Shifting his focus to Asia, Oettinger unequivocally labelled China an “autocracy, not democracy,” and expressed concern that “China wants to dominate the world of tomorrow and wants to dominate Asia and India.”
This perceived ambition, he argued, creates a clear common ground for Europe and India. “So we have some common understanding, Europe and India, Germany and India. We are democracies. We have different languages, different cultures and different religions, but a common understanding of trade and exports,” he emphasised, highlighting shared values and economic interests despite cultural diversity.
Oettinger also highlighted the human capital element, noting his familiarity with many Indian IT specialists, engineers, and doctors, and affirmed that Europe has compelling opportunities to offer them. Reaffirming his core message, he stated, “I think we should deepen our partnership and collaboration,” firmly positioning it as the most viable path forward given that China, the US, and Russia are all “difficult for India to collaborate with.”
He concluded by emphasising that a clear understanding of each other’s offers, potential, and expectations would lead to meaningful and mutually beneficial outcomes.
The News9 Global Summit, a vital one-day event in Stuttgart, convened with the theme ‘Democracy, Demography, Development – The India–Germany Connect.’ It focused on developing comprehensive relations across economic, strategic, and cultural spheres. Key areas of discussion throughout the day included defence collaboration, technological development, climate change initiatives, and facilitating the movement of talent between both nations.