1958 This year marked the beginning of Indo-German development cooperation.

1959 The Rourkela Steel Plant in Odisha and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras were built with assistance from Germany. Image: © KfW Rourkela Steel Plant

1967 Germany supported the Agricultural Development Project in the Nilgiris, which covered over 16,000 farm holdings and helped small farmers to get loans and determine favourable cultivation practices for potatoes.

1968 The Foreman Training Institute was set up in Bangalore with financial and technical contribution from the state of Baden-Württemberg. Image: © GIZ Foreman Training Institute, Bangalore

1980s Tool rooms in Aurangabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and other cities were equipped with precision machines to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They were designed to develop technical courses to meet the demand for qualified skilled workers and foremen.

1990 Since 1990, Germany has been promoting SMEs in collaboration with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). With Germany’s help, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the Adivasi Development Programme in Gujarat and Maharashtra. It improved the livelihood of over 25,000 tribal households. Image: © KfW SIDBI’s microfinance beneficiaries in a meeting

1990s The Indo-German Watershed Development Programme (IGWDP) was started to restore watersheds. Implemented by NABARD and Indian NGOs, it covered more than 300,000 hectares of drylands. Image: © GIZ The Indo-German Watershed Development Programme

1996 With a financial contribution of €250 million, Germany has supported the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme since 1996. In 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared India polio free. Image: © KfW Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme