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Fraunhofer Deepens Indo-German AI Ties at India AI Summit 2026

Fraunhofer significantly strengthened the Indo-German technological partnership at the India AI Summit 2026. The collaboration focuses on applying AI in critical sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare for economic development and social good. Key officials emphasized a human-centric approach to technology and the synergy between India's scaling capabilities and Germany's regulatory expertise. The partnership aims to accelerate the transition of innovations from the laboratory to the market.

Key Points: Indo-German AI Partnership Strengthened at India AI Summit

  • Strategic Indo-German AI collaboration
  • Focus on manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare
  • Commitment to AI for social good
  • Bridging research and market application
  • Emphasis on inclusive innovation
3 min read

Fraunhofer strengthens Indo-German AI partnership at India AI Summit 2026

Fraunhofer advances AI collaboration between India and Germany for economic development and social good, focusing on key sectors and innovation.

"AI is already transforming how we produce, heal, grow food, and govern. - Prof Dr Kristina Sinemus"

New Delhi, February 21

At the India AI Summit 2026, held at the Bharat Mandapam, Fraunhofer has significantly deepened the technological bond between India and Germany. Through a series of high-level forums and strategic showcases, Europe's largest application-oriented research organisation underscored its commitment to advancing "AI for Economic Development and Social Good."

The summit served as a focal point for the Indo-German Innovation and Technology Forum, where global industry captains and government officials converged to address the practical application of AI in sectors critical to both nations: manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and governance.

Fraunhofer supported inclusivity through dedicated sessions like "Women in Science and Technology," and addressed the urgent need for standardised, farmer-centric digital tools to mitigate climate risks in agrifood systems.

Prof Dr Kristina Sinemus, Hessian Minister for Digitalisation and Innovation, State of Hessen, Germany, emphasised that the human element must remain at the core of technological progress.

"AI is already transforming how we produce, heal, grow food, and govern. The key question is not whether AI will shape our society, but how and whether economic development and social good advance together. Our strategy is guided by a clear principle: technology must serve people, not the other way around."

She further highlighted the potential for synergy between the two nations. "India has shown with initiatives like ADA, NPI, and India Stack how digital public infrastructure can scale and enable innovation at massive levels. Germany can bring expertise in balanced regulation, data protection, and quality assurance. Together, India and Germany can build bridges between scale and safeguard... grounded in shared democratic values," she said.

Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer Office India, noted the organisation's long-standing history in the country and its role in bridging the gap between theory and practice.

"India as we all know needs translational research and therefore Fraunhofer has an important role to play. We are delighted that we were among the first movers coming into India 18 years ago. Even today, there are very few international R&D organizations that are active in India."

Dr Raj Kumar Upadhyay, CEO of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), lauded the ongoing cooperation in high-tech infrastructure.

"The collaboration with Fraunhofer is a highly valued partnership that will accelerate technology advancement and deployment in Internet Security, 5G/6G, Quantum as well as AI and telecommunications."

Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, issued a call to action for future innovators during the "Women in Innovation" session. "Leadership in science and technology demands audacity, resilience, and purpose."

Fraunhofer's presence at the summit - highlighted by breakthroughs like the Virtual Employee and the Dataspaces Platform--reinforces a partnership built on the shortest possible transition from the laboratory to the market.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Glad to see focus on "Women in Science and Technology" and Dr. Maini's message. We need more such platforms to inspire young girls to take up STEM. The collaboration sounds promising, but I hope the benefits of this AI research reach beyond metros and into tier 2/3 cities and rural areas.
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Rohit P
Fraunhofer has been here for 18 years? That's a long-term commitment. Their model of applied research is exactly what India needs to bridge the gap between IIT labs and the market. The focus on agri-tech with farmer-centric tools is crucial with our climate challenges. More power to such partnerships!
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Sarah B
Prof. Sinemus's point about "technology must serve people" is vital. As AI grows, balancing innovation with ethics and data protection is key. Germany's experience in regulation could help India create a robust framework. Hoping this partnership sets a global standard for responsible AI development.
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Vikram M
While the summit and statements are great, the real test is on-ground implementation. We've seen many MoUs and forums. I respectfully hope this leads to tangible tech transfer and co-developed products, not just more talk. The work with C-DOT on 5G/6G and quantum is particularly exciting if it materializes.
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Karthik V
"Build bridges between scale and safeguard" – that's a powerful line. India can scale anything, Germany can ensure quality and safety. Perfect combo for AI in healthcare and manufacturing. Jai Hind! Let's make 'Make in India' smarter with such collaborations. 💡

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