External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock exchange documents as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz look on during the signing of agreements between India and Germany at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, on Friday (Oct. 25, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

“Young educated Indians are striving to enter the labour market, while in Germany, there is a great need of skilled workers, and it can be turned into a ‘win-win-win’ situation for both the countries and youths,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday (October 25, 2024).

Ms. Baerbock made the remarks while meeting German learners at the Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan in New Delhi earlier in the day.

She is currently in India as part of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-day official visit to India that began on Thursday (October 24, 2024).

The German Foreign Minister attended the 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) on Friday (October 25, 2024).

Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil also visited the global cultural institute of Germany, the institute said in a statement.

The Ministers held an exchange with the group to hear about their motivations and future plans, and responded to concerns of mutual interest.

In their statements, they emphasised Germany’s commitment to “welcoming talented Indians” into the German workforce across sectors.

“India is an economic heavyweight with breathtaking dynamism — with many young, well-educated people striving to enter the labour market,” Ms. Baerbock was quoted as saying in the statement.

“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,” she said in her address.

Also read:PM Modi meets German Chancellor Scholz

A joint statement was issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Scholz co-chaired the seventh round of the IGC meeting.

“As bilateral cooperation on skilled migration expands across multiple fronts, involving collaboration between federal and state governments, as well as private sector stakeholders, both sides committed to full implementation of the provisions of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA),” it said.

In line with the commitments outlined in the MMPA both sides remain dedicated to promoting fair and legal labour migration, the statement said.

“This approach is guided by international standards that ensure migrant workers are treated with dignity and respect, including fair recruitment practices, transparent visa processes, and the protection of workers’ rights,” it said.

“The approach can safeguard against exploitation and ensure compliance with international labour standards,” it added.

With the MMPA, both sides also agreed to address irregular migration.

Minister Heil also interacted with Indian students at a partner school of the Goethe-Institut, who are striving to go for vocational training in Germany.

New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held comprehensive talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday and discussed various regional and global matters.

EAM Jaishankar also had a productive dialogue with German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who is also the Economic Affairs and Climate Action Minister. These discussions were part of the seventh India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) meeting.

EAM Jaishankar shared on X that the IGC meeting was successful. He posted pictures of his separate meetings with both Baerbock and Habeck.

“Delighted to meet FM @ABaerbock of Germany, after a successful IGC meeting earlier today. Held wide-ranging discussions on several regional and global issues. Our strategic partnership continues to deepen as it enters its 25th year,” Jaishankar posted on X.

This statement highlights the ongoing strengthening of ties between India and Germany.

Habeck interacted with Indian ministers on Friday during his visit to India.

EAM Jaishankar took to social media platform X, saying he had a “good conversation” with Habeck and the two leaders discussed contemporary global challenges.

“A good conversation with German Vice Chancellor and Economic Affairs and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck. Exchanged views on contemporary global challenges, both strategic and economic,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Habeck also took a ride on the Delhi Metro with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal to reach the YashoBhoomi Convention Centre in Dwarka, Delhi.

Interacting with officials from Germany in the Delhi Metro, Goyal remarked, “Our effort is to create future-ready cities that are able to handle large volumes”.

Earlier on Friday during the Asia Pacific conference, Habeck highlighted India’s crucial role as a partner in navigating these economic shifts.

“India is one of the most important partners here in this region, but also in the world. India is one of the most important partners in the region and the world. We cannot…not to have an EU FTA Free Trade Agreement. For this reason, there’s a great deal of willingness for myself,” he said.

During the Asia-Pacific Conference, PM Modi hailed the cooperation between India and Germany.

Speaking on the relationship between the two countries he said, “The approach and commitment to taking this strategic partnership forward in a holistic manner is clearly visible. Germany’s trust in India is amazing.”

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in India for a two-day state visit. This marks Scholz’s third visit to India since he became Chancellor in 2021.

Chancellor Scholz visited India twice last year, for a bilateral State Visit in February 2023 and to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his counterparts from the G4 countries.
| Photo Credit: X/@DrSJaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has met his counterparts from the G4 countries, reaffirming the grouping’s commitment to urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council through text-based negotiations.

The G4 nations comprise Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan.

Mr. Jaishankar, who is in the U.S. on an official visit, on Monday (September 23, 2024) met his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa, the Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock and Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Glad to join the traditional #G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting along with colleagues @ABaerbock, @Kamikawa_Yoko and Mauro Vieira in New York today. G4 reaffirmed its commitment for an urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council through Text Based Negotiations,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The G4 nations support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.

India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts calling for reform of the Security Council, saying the 15-nation Council, founded in 1945, is not fit for purpose in the 21st Century and does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. A polarised Security Council has also failed to deal with current peace and security challenges, with Council members sharply divided on conflicts such as the Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Mr. Jaishankar also held talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil on Monday about energy and economic cooperation, among other things.

“Pleased to meet FM @yvangil of Venezuela today on the sidelines of #UNGA79. Discussed energy, health and economic cooperation, as also reformed multilateralism,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X.