German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be on a visit to India from October 24 and ahead of his trip, his Cabinet has approved a key strategic document, titled ‘Focus on India’ which highlights the future course of bilateral relations with India.
Germany has turned its attention towards India at a time when the world has been navigating a complex geopolitical landscape.
The German government has been aiming to elevate the strategic partnership that has formed the foundation of its relationship with India since 2000.
On October 16, German Chancellor Scholz’s Cabinet approved the key strategic document ‘Focus on India’ and the first steps towards its implementation are to be agreed at the next Indo-German intergovernmental consultations between October 24 and 26.
15 things about ‘Focus on India’ document adopted by Germany’s Cabinet
1 – As per the German Federal Foreign Office, ‘Focus on India’ covers the entire spectrum of bilateral Indo-German relations
2 – The document aims to rejuvenate the strategic partnership that has been in place since 2000, with plans to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year
3 – It acknowledges India not just as a vital partner but also as a key player shaping the international order. It also takes into account Europe’s India policy
4 – Priorities In ‘Focus on India’ include cooperation in the area of foreign and security policy, development cooperation, climate and environmental protection, expansion of business and trade relations
5 – It also include intensification of cooperation in the field of research and academia, and recruitment of skilled labour
6 – The ‘Focus on India’ also emphasises the importance of exchange on basic values and fundamental rights, for example within the framework of the human rights dialogue between the European Union and India
7 – “India’s weight in the international political arena is increasing continuously: as the world’s most populous country and a stable democracy, through its aspiration to represent the interests of developing countries in formats such as the G20 as the voice of the Global South, and as a heavyweight in multilateral formats such as the expanded BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,” the paper said
8 – “Cooperation with the United States, Australia and Japan within the context of the Quad is also becoming increasingly important for India’s foreign policy,” it further said
9 – “In the Indo-Pacific, India works to uphold freedom, openness and security and takes a constructive approach with regard to its potential to shape the region and the wider area in order to maintain the balance,” the ‘Focus on India’ document said, adding, “India is particularly concerned about China’s growing outreach in the Indo-Pacific”
10 – Germany said it “wants to do justice to India’s growing influence by continuing fruitful high-level dialogue formats such as the consultations between the German and Indian foreign and defence ministries and dovetailing them more closely”
11 – “We want to benefit from India’s diverse expertise as a central player in international politics with a prominent position among the countries of the so-called Global South,” the document read
12 – “In order to sound out further cooperation potential, we want to expand expert dialogue on regional subjects and on cross-cutting issues such as climate action and climate resilience, the United Nations, cybersecurity and combating terrorism, and supplement this with additional topics.” Germany said
13 – “In future, our missions abroad should interact more closely at local level with their Indian colleagues,” it said
14 – German further said that by “expanding our dialogue formats with the Indian Government, we want to broaden the framework to enable us to build bridges by conducting dialogue in a spirit of trust and identify options for joint initiatives, particularly in fields where direct security interests are affected. That also applies to issues on which Germany and India have divergent positions and priorities”
15 – “The German Government consistently addresses the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impact in talks with the Indian side. It welcomes the Indian Government’s repeatedly expressed willingness to work to bring about a peaceful end to the war. India can make an important contribution here thanks to the special influence it brings to bear in the international community,” it further said.
Meanwhile, as per a report by Mint, Germany also has plans to increase labour visas for Indians to 90,000.
Quoting German ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, the report said that Germany, which is facing a workforce shortage, is planning to substantially increase the number of skilled labour visas it grants for Indians to 90,000 every year, from the current cap of 20,000.
As per Schengen.News, to streamline the migration process for skilled Indian workers, Germany plans to digitise visa applications by the end of 2024 which could benefit nearly 400,000 skilled workers in Germany.
Germany is also offering German language classes to those willing to relocate to the country. The German Labor Office has also announced that it will enhance its advisory services for Indian college students studying in Germany.
Germany is also planning to create more employment opportunities for Indian workers who are already there in the country, and is also supporting entrepreneurs from India setting up businesses in the country.
As per a data published by the Federal Labour Ministry, the number of Indians employed in skilled labour positions has reached to 137,000 as of February 2024 from 23,000 in 2015.
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15 things about ‘Focus on India’ document adopted by Germany’s Cabinet ahead of Scholz visit
