Indo-German talks focus on tech, green energy

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on a two day trip to India offered technology specialists and skilled experts to consider working in Germany. He also plans to reduce immigration hurdles and introduce a point-based system that would grant visas even to specialists who are yet to have a job offer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the German chancellor discussed climate change and members of the business delegation signed agreements in wind, solar energy and green hydrogen sector.

Image Source: pib.gov.in

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz while visiting India from February 25-26, said that the German government is willing to simplify the issuing of work visas to Indian technology specialists and skilled workers, in order to help them consider working from Germany.

As the move will help the European country to tackle labor shortages, it will also help India to tackle its employment issues. Since Germany is facing demand for software development, the country is willing to offer visas even without a concrete job offer.

According to a survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), more than half of Germany’s companies are struggling to fill vacancies, which estimates that two million posts remain unfilled, accounting for nearly 100 billion euros of lost output.

Since many immigrants to Germany face language barriers, the chancellor stated that working in Germany won’t be a problem for even those who do not speak the language, as they can learn the language later.

While welcoming the German Chancellor and business delegation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “We had a successful meeting and some good and important agreements were also signed, we got to hear useful thoughts and suggestions from industry leaders of both countries on topics such as Digital Transformation, FinTech, IT, Telecom and Diversification of Supply Chains”.

The two day visit from the German Chancellor proved to be fruitful for both the nations in many ways, as the two countries discussed various crucial matters. Some of the key points from the meeting are listed below:

• The meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor aimed at deepening economic ties along with discussion regarding Russia-Ukraine war and its effect on trade from both the countries.
• Germany is keen to clinch a US$ 5.2 billion deal to build six conventional submarines for India, although it is not expected to yield an immediate result.
• The German chancellor is keen to make an effort to advance talks between the EU and India for a trade and investment agreement.
• Scholz emphasized that the investments of the 1,800 German companies already in India should be increased.
• The two leaders discussed climate change and members of the business delegation signed agreements in wind, solar energy and green hydrogen sector.

During a meeting with workers at the SAP Labs, Scholz said that he is “determined” to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to immigration for skilled workers, and “make it easier to come to Germany as a specialist, including with your own family”.

To propel economic growth by empowering the youth with the right skills and providing them the access to right opportunities, India hosted the 12^th meeting of the Indo-German joint working group on 7^th December 2022. It aimed at institutionalizing a standard mechanism for Vocational Education and Training (VET) to meet the skill requirements in priority sectors as per the German standards.