Driven by Bi-National Progress
The German-Indian Foundation (GIF) is a bilateral platform established to deepen the institutional foundations of the India-Germany partnership. We convene industrial leaders, institutional stakeholders, and civil society actors on both sides — translating federal and European bilateral momentum into regional, people-to-people connections that produce concrete partnerships, supply chain relationships, and mutual capability. Through curated Summits, cross-cultural competence programmes, and interdisciplinary networks spanning industry and civil society, GIF is the gateway for German businesses and Indian partners to build trust, share knowledge, and create shared value.
Key Team
Mr. Umashankar Sharma
Founder and President
Mr. Umashankar Sharma serves as the Founder and President of the German-Indian Foundation e.V. Based in Bavaria, this non-profit entity facilitates high-level synergy across commerce, culture, and academic exchange. A long-term resident of the Allgaeu region, he contributes his expertise to the MULTIVAC Group, focusing on strategic Indian market engagement. He is a recognized authority and frequent keynote speaker at IHK events and prestigious bilateral forums, where he addresses critical topics regarding the Indo-German industrial landscape.
Mr. Sunil Singh
Co-Founder and Vice President
Mr. Sunil Singh is the Co-Founder and Vice President (2. Vorsitzender) of the German-Indian Foundation e.V., holding key governance responsibilities within the Executive Board. Currently a Senior Engineering Team Leader at BMW Group in Munich, he has spearheaded mechatronic development since 2017. With a decade of experience in the German automotive sector and a foundational background in Indian mechanical engineering, Mr. Singh exemplifies the integration of technical excellence and bilateral professional development within the Bavarian industrial ecosystem.
Parimal Sharma
Co-Founder and Vice President
Mr. Parimal Sharma acts as Co-Founder and Second Vice President (3. Vorsitzender) of the German-Indian Foundation e.V., supporting the organization's strategic leadership. As a Global Key Account Manager at the PULS Group, a prominent Munich-based Mittelstand manufacturer, he offers profound insight into transcontinental professional transitions. Having launched his career in Bangalore and Delhi before attaining his MBA in Germany, he manages complex commercial portfolios, bridging the economic gap between Indian talent and Bavarian industry.
Governance & Leadership
Executive Board
The Executive Board is responsible for the foundation's strategic steering and high-level decision-making. It ensures that GIF's bi-national initiatives align with the long-term goals of fostering collaboration between Germany and India.
Advisory Council
Our Advisory Council brings together visionary leaders from both nations. They provide critical expertise and diplomatic insights, guiding the foundation to effectively bridge economic interests and technological innovations across borders.
OUR PURPOSE
Building the Bilateral Foundation
The German-Indian Foundation builds the institutional foundation of the Germany-India partnership — the regional layer where federal agreements become commercial relationships. We convene Mittelstand leaders, Indian industry partners, and institutional stakeholders through curated forums, cross-cultural competence programmes, and interdisciplinary networks that turn bilateral intent into operational reality.
A Connected Future
We envision an Germany-India partnership where regional depth matches federal breadth — where every Mittelstand company with a potential Indian partner, and every Indian firm looking to build in Europe, has a credible institutional path to make it happen. The German-Indian Foundation exists to build that path, one conversation, one convening, one relationship at a time.