Germany Ministers Baerbock and Heil Visit Goethe-Institut: Indo-German Cooperation on Skilled Labor

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Labor Minister Hubertus Heil recently visited the Goethe-Institut in New Delhi, reinforcing the strategic partnership between Germany and India. Accompanied by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, they participated in the biennial Indo-German intergovernmental consultations.

During their visit, the ministers interacted with Indian students enrolled in language and cultural programs, aiming to study and work in Germany. They emphasized Germany’s commitment to welcoming Indian talent, particularly in STEM, IT, engineering, and healthcare sectors.

“India is an economic heavyweight with breathtaking dynamism – with many young, well-educated people striving to enter the labor market,” Foreign Minister Baerbock said in her address. “In Germany, on the other hand, we are in great need of skilled workers. We can turn this into a win-win-win situation: For India, for Germany, but above all for the young people striving to work in Germany. We took the first steps towards this two years ago with the partnership and mobility agreement. And now we have also simplified visa procedures.”

Baerbock highlighted the potential for mutual benefit, citing Germany’s need for skilled workers and India’s eagerness for labor market entry. She noted simplified visa procedures and the partnership and mobility agreement have facilitated increased collaboration.

Heil visited the RSKV School, engaging with students applying for the APAL project, which supports young adults in learning German and securing vocational training with German employers.

“During my first visit to India last year, I was impressed by the energy and potential of a society where one million people enter the labor market every month – a scale that is almost unimaginable for Germans,” Minister Heil said. “Our goal is to create a situation that benefits both countries and supports the ambitions of Indian professionals looking for opportunities in Germany.”

The Goethe-Institut plays a crucial role in skilled migration, offering language training, cultural immersion, and access to German culture.

This cooperation builds on the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership signed in 2022 and the recently adopted Skilled Labor Strategy for India.

With nearly 140,000 Indian citizens employed in Germany and over 50,000 Indian students in German universities, this partnership fosters education, labor, and cultural exchange between the two nations.