Celebrating 25 Years of Strategic Partnership & Beyond…
Synopsis: Indian and German policymakers, corporate czars, and thought leaders converge in Stuttgart, Germany, to explore trade, technology, and partnerships at the second News Global Summit 2025-Germany edition, themed – Democracy | Demography | Development: The India-Germany Connect.
TV9 Network, India’s most-watched news broadcaster, is hosting its second edition of the News9 Global Summit—Germany Edition, one of the leading bilateral platforms for high-level dialogue on politics, economy, and diplomacy, in Stuttgart, Germany, on October 9–10, 2025.
Presented by the Government of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), hosted by TV9 Network, and co-hosted by VfB Stuttgart with the support of the State of Baden-Württemberg, this year’s edition turns the spotlight on Democracy | Demography | Development: The India-Germany Connect, as its overarching theme.
Powering this global exchange of ideas is a strong coalition of partners who share the vision of deepening the India-Germany collaboration. The News9 Global Summit 2025 –Germany Edition, is supported by an exceptional line-up of institutions and brands – Fintiba and Barmer as Gold Partners; MHP – A Porsche Company, Tata Ace Pro, as Silver partners, and insurer TK as Health Partner; and MMRDA, CIDCO, Maharashtra Tourism, and SRA Brihan Mumbai as Associate Partners. The innovation agenda is driven by GICC as the Innovation Partner, Karlsruhe joins as the Session Partner, and A Heinrich as the Celebration Partner.
This year, the News9 Global Summit scales new heights, bigger in vision, broader in reach, and bolder in voice, with a pan-German footprint. The road to Stuttgart began in Berlin on October 6, where News9, in partnership with the German Indian Innovation Corridor (GIIC), officially launched the second edition of the News9 Global Summit – Germany Edition. Held at the iconic AXICA Convention Centre, adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate, the event brought together over 200 innovators, startups, and investors from both nations. The evening opened with a keynote by H. E. Ajit Gupte, India’s Ambassador to Germany, followed by a News9 moderated dialogue on the automotive industry. The curtain-raiser featured dynamic spotlight sessions with eminent speakers, including Vijay Chauthaiwale, Anandi Iyer, Stefan Halusa, and Jörg Müller, setting the tone for the grand finale in Stuttgart on October 9. Over the next two days, the journey continues through Munich and Karlsruhe before culminating in a powerful dialogue on The India-Germany Connect in Stuttgart.
Speaking about the significance of the Summit, Barun Das, MD & CEO, TV9 Network, said, “The Germany Edition of the News9 Global Summit arrives at a pivotal moment when the India-Germany partnership is not just marking 25 years, but also redefining the next 25. This Summit is about more than dialogue; it is about building trust in a multipolar world. Stuttgart as a crucible of engineering, innovation, and diplomacy, provides the perfect backdrop for India’s narrative as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. At TV9 Network, our mission is to place India at the heart of global discourse, and the News9 Global Summit is our platform to ensure that India’s voice is not just heard but shapes the global agenda.”
Rouven Kasper, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer & Board Member, VfB Stuttgart, said, “At VfB Stuttgart, we believe that sport is more than competition, it’s connection of people, projects an alliances. As a club deeply rooted in Baden-Württemberg yet global in its outlook, we are proud to co-host the News9 Global Summit 2025 for the second year in a row. This partnership reflects our shared belief that the fields of play and platforms of dialogue are both vital arenas for collaboration and progress. The India–Germany connect is built not just on trade or technology, but on shared values; teamwork, resilience, and innovation. This summit is a celebration of those ideals.”
As India and Germany mark 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, the Summit will bring together policymakers, corporate chieftains, and thought leaders from across continents to frame the next chapter of bilateral and global cooperation.
From Germany and Europe, the Summit welcomes an influential line-up including Johann David Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Germany; Nina Warken, Federal Minister of Health, Germany; and Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade. Adding depth to the dialogue are Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europa; Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President, Baden-Württemberg; Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Labour, Economy & Tourism; and Florian Hassler, State Secretary for Political Coordination, Europe and International Affairs. Frank Nopper, Lord Mayor of Stuttgart, will also grace the event.
Industry and innovation leaders include Andreas Lapp, Joachim Erdle (LBBW), Bernd-Otto Hörmann (MHP India), Anja Hendel (NXTGN Management), Honza Ngo (Blockbrain), and Jan-Frederik Dammenhain (Quantum Systems). Strategic voices such as Karl-Heinz Grossmann (Airbus Defence & Space), Captain Michael Giss (Bundeswehr), and Gunnar Mey join the conversation, alongside cultural innovators Alexander Heinrich and Thomas Diehl.
From India, the Summit will feature virtual participation from Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Gracing the summit in person will be Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament, India and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines & Steel; Uday Samant, Minister for Industries, Maharashtra, will deliver a keynote address, followed by H.E. Ajit Gupte, India’s Ambassador to Germany.
Policy thinkers and economists such as Arvind Virmani (Member, NITI Aayog) and Sachin Kumar Sharma (RIS) join the dialogue, while industry leaders including Vivek Lall, CEO of General Atomic Global Corporation, Pankaj Vyas (Siemens Technology), Anandi Iyer (Fraunhofer India), and Ujjwal Jyoti (Accenture India) bring real-world perspectives.
Adding creative and cultural depth to the agenda are Chef Kunal Kapur and Captain Zoya Agarwal, along with new-generation innovators Siddharth Bhasin (GICC) and Markus Besch (Impact Hub Karlsruhe).