According to news agency AFP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Friday that Germany would raise the number of qualified Indian worker visas it grants annually from 20,000 to 90,000.
During their three-day visit, Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held bilateral discussions about trade between the two nations, which have the fifth and third largest economies in the world, respectively.
“The majority of international students at our colleges today are Indians. The number of Indians employed in Germany increased by 23,000 in the past year. Scholz stated at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024, “That talent is a welcome addition to our labour market.”
According to AFP, he said that digitisation, quicker processing, and user-friendly initiatives would also improve visa operations.
However, The German Chancellor added that they wanted to reduce the number of people migrating who weren’t regarded as “skilled” workers.
“At the same time, we are facilitating the return of individuals who have no right to be in our country and decreasing irregular migration. The message is that skilled workers are welcome in Germany, but we have the last say over who arrives,” Scholz stated.
Additionally, Germany is working to get India and the EU to sign a free trade pact. After more than eight years, negotiations on the free trade agreement have begun since June 2022.
The German Chancellor highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between the two nations in defence and technology. He declared, “We agree to bring our militaries closer together and want to deepen our defence cooperation.”
At Hyderabad House, Modi and Scholz will co-chair the seventh Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC).
