Germany–India Desk

Indian counsel for German law firms, Mittelstand companies, and German investors in India

Germany is India's largest European trade partner and one of its most significant sources of European FDI. German companies — from DAX-listed multinationals to Mittelstand hidden champions — have been investing in India for decades in automotive, engineering, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. German law firms and in-house legal teams increasingly need a trusted Indian co-counsel who can operate within their structured workflows, provide advice in a format consistent with German legal practice, and navigate India's regulatory complexity. RevLaw's Germany Desk serves German law firms, German business associations active in India, and German companies across the full lifecycle of their India operations.

Bilateral Context

Germany and India enjoy one of Europe's most substantive bilateral investment relationships. Bilateral trade stood at approximately €30 billion in 2022, with German FDI in India spanning automotive, chemicals, mechanical engineering, and pharmaceuticals. The original India-Germany Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (BIPPA) was among the treaties terminated by India following its 2016 model BIT revision; a replacement treaty has not yet entered into force. German investors should obtain specific legal advice on available protections and dispute options. Germany and India are also engaged in the Indo-Pacific Partnership for the Green and Sustainable Development Corridor. German companies operating in India navigate both Indian regulatory requirements and German compliance obligations — including the LkSG (Supply Chain Due Diligence Act) for German parent companies with Indian supply chain exposure.

Typical Mandates

Greenfield and brownfield FDI structuring for German manufacturing companies entering India

German Mittelstand company establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary or joint venture in India

LkSG (Supply Chain Act) due diligence on Indian suppliers and manufacturing partners

ICC and DIS arbitration support — Indian law opinion, Section 9 applications, and award enforcement

Cross-border M&A: Indian due diligence for German acquirers of Indian target companies

Employment law advisory for German companies seconding expatriate employees to Indian operations

Key Legal Frameworks

Indo-German BIPPA (terminated)

The original Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement was terminated by India following the 2016 model BIT revision. A replacement treaty has not entered into force; German investors should seek specific advice on available protections.

FDI Policy (DPIIT)

Governs German company investment into Indian entities — sectoral caps, automatic vs. government route.

ICC Rules / DIS Rules

Frequently used institutional rules for Germany-India disputes; RevLaw acts as Indian co-counsel.

LkSG (Supply Chain Due Diligence Act)

German statute requiring large German companies to conduct due diligence on human rights and environmental risks in their supply chains, including Indian suppliers.

Get in Touch with the Germany–India Desk

Write to us or book a call to discuss your GERMANY–India matter.

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