In a significant boost to India-Germany relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Germany’s decision to increase the number of skilled Indian worker visas from 20,000 to 90,000. Addressing the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024 in New Delhi, PM Modi emphasized that this move will provide a new impetus to Germany’s economic growth. The conference was also attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“We have set a roadmap for a developed India in the next 25 years. I am pleased that during this crucial time, the German cabinet has released the ‘Focus on India’ document… Germany has decided to increase the visa number for the skilled Indian workforce from 20,000 to 90,000. This will give a new pace to Germany’s growth,” PM Modi stated.
PM Modi further emphasized that India’s growth is driven by a strong foundation of talent, technology, innovation, and robust infrastructure. “India stands on the four strong pillars of democracy, demography, demand, and data. Talent, technology, innovation, and infrastructure are the tools of India’s growth. To drive them all, one strong force is there in India – AI – Aspirational India and Artificial Intelligence – this double power is there in India… India is working on the needs of the future world,” he added.
Beyond the economic aspects, PM Modi also highlighted the rich cultural experiences India offers, urging attendees to engage with the country’s vibrant culture, cuisine, and shopping scene. “If you don’t give time to India’s culture, cuisine, and shopping, you will miss many things,” he said, emphasizing that a visit to India goes beyond business transactions.
Speaking on the global security landscape, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts and the need for international collaboration. “The world of the 21st century is something where progress is a question we have to work for. But in a multipolar world, there is no global policeman, no single watchdog monitoring or common rules and institutions. Each and everyone of us is called upon to defend and uphold them. If Russia is to succeed in its illegal brutal war against Ukraine, there would be repercussions far beyond Europe’s borders. Such an outcome would endanger global security and prosperity as a whole,” Scholz said.
Addressing the tensions in the Middle East and other regions, Scholz added, “The Middle East remains another constant source of tension and a stark reminder of the human cost of division and the world’s inability to reach political solutions. The Korean Peninsula, the South and East China Sea all remain flash points of potential conflicts, even though we all hope that these conflicts can be contained. Let us do whatever we can to bring about political solutions to these conflicts. Solutions that are based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”
This meeting between PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz reflects the strengthening ties between India and Germany, with both leaders highlighting the need for collaboration on various fronts – from economic growth and skilled workforce mobility to addressing global challenges and promoting international security.
