New Delhi: There is good news for Indians wishing to study or work in Germany.
The number of visas granted annually by Germany to skilled Indian workers has been increased from 20,000 to 90,000, reported news agency AFP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on a three-day visit to India.
The two leaders engaged in bilateral talks concerning trade between the world’s fifth and third largest economies.
“Today Indians are the largest group of foreign students at our universities. Last year alone, the number of Indians working in Germany grew by 23,000. That talent is a welcome addition to our labour market,” Scholz said while addressing the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024.
Scholz assured that visa procedures will be improved with digitisation, faster processing and user-friendly initiatives, reported AFP.
However, Chancellor Scholz added that Germany was looking to decrease migration for non-skilled workforce.
“At the same time, we are reducing irregular migration and facilitating returns of those who have no right to be in our country. The message is that Germany is open for skilled workers but then we can decide who comes,” Scholz said.
The German Chancellor stressed on the importance of cooperation between the two countries in defence and technology.
“We want to deepen our cooperation in defence and agree to bring our militaries closer together,” he said.