PM Modi hails Germany call to increase visas for skilled Indians to 90,000

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Oct 25 said that Berlin has decided to increase the number of visas for skilled Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 per year and he is confident that this will further boost Germany’s economic growth.

Scholz, who arrived on Oct 24 is on a three-day visit to India.

Speaking at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Businesses, also attended by Scholz, Modi said, “Especially noteworthy is the trust that Germany has expressed in the skilled workforce of India. Germany has decided to increase the number of visas for skilled Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 per year. I am confident that this will further boost Germany’s economic growth.”

“As two of the world’s leading economies, together we can become a force for global good, and the Focus on India document provides a blueprint for this. In this, Germany’s holistic approach and commitment to pursuing the strategic partnership are clearly evident,” he added.

After the 7th Inter-Governmental Consultations, the two leaders held bilateral talks and discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in West Asia among other issues. India and Germany signed pacts on mutual legal assistance and classified information, and a roadmap on green hydrogen.

“The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a matter of concern for both nations. India has always been of the view that war cannot be a solution to problems. India is ready to make every possible contribution for the restoration of peace,” Modi said.
Scholz called upon Modi to contribute to finding a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

“Especially in times like these, it is of the utmost importance that India is an anchor of stability in South Asia. The international rules-based order has come under massive pressure as a consequence of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine affects Germany and India in many ways.” Scholz said.

“No one can close his or her eyes to the conflict and the impact it has on us. Therefore, I approve that India supports a lasting and just peace, and I am pleased about your readiness to make use of the reliable relations that you have developed with all parties to contribute to a political solution to the conflict,” he added, referring to Modi’s visits to Russia and Ukraine to meet President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy respectively in the past four months.

On the conflict in West Asia, Scholz said, “We have to, by all means, avoid a further escalation of the violence in the Middle East. We need to see a ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and a political process that leads to a two-state solution.”

Commenting on China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific, he said, “In the Indo-Pacific… we stand up for respect for rules-based international order. The freedom of maritime trades must be respected everywhere.”

After the bilateral talks, eight documents were signed — a mutual legal assistance treaty on criminal matters, an agreement on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information, an Indo-German green hydrogen roadmap, a roadmap on innovation and technology, and declarations on employment and labor, R&D on advanced materials, green urban mobility and skill development.

Modi said they agreed that the global forums established in the 20th century were inadequate to address the challenges of the 21st century. “There is a need for reforms in multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council,” he said.

After Delhi, Scholz will head to Goa where the German naval frigate ‘Baden-Wuerttemberg’ and combat support ship ‘Frankfurt am Main’ will make a scheduled port call as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment.