Europe could present working opportunities amid proposed changes in US visa rules
NEW DELHI: Amid proposed changes in US visa rules that might adversely affect the movement of Indian professionals and the UK’s decision to tighten rules for foreign workforces, mainland Europe could present greater opportunities for skilled Indians.
India and the European Union are seeking to expedite their Joint Declaration on Common Agenda on Migration, according to David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament.
The declaration, adopted at their summit in Brussels last year, calls for “better organising and promoting regular migration at relevant skill levels and fostering well-managed mobility, including the enhanced issuance of visas. The EU has been urging the Indian government to expedite implementation of this action plan since the summit,” McAllister, who led the first visit of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee to India since 2004, told ET.
The issue of smooth migration of skilled Indians in EU member states was among the issues that figured in McAllister’s discussions in India last week in the backdrop of rising protectionism across the world. India and the EU are exploring possibilities for attracting highly skilled workers, including scientists and technologists, IT specialists and managers, to strengthen mobility for these categories and foster innovation in a reciprocal manner, including the possible grant of visas with long-term validity, explained the EU MP.
India concluded social security agreements with two EU members – Germany and Portugal – this month, which will benefit the Indian workforce in these countries. The declaration had also stressed on “maximising the development of migration and mobility, including through cooperation on social security issues.”
McAllister, who is a member of Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union, pointed out that he has driven home during all his meetings the fact that EU remains strong, notwithstanding Brexit, and the continent provides huge opportunities for partnership across sectors including counter-terror, anti-piracy, de-radicalisation besides urbanisation, clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
A focus of McAllister’s visit was exploring cooperation under Indo-EU security, counter-terror and maritime security. He held meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and members of the Indian security establishment.
“India plays an important role in countering terror. India has made the significant contribution in peace-keeping initiatives. This country has been a victim of terror for long and now terror has reached European capitals. The two entities have a lot to cooperate to fight extremism including joint de-radicalisation initiatives,” noted the senior EU official.
McAllister said his discussions with the NSA focused on common interests in countering extremism both regionally and globally, besides collaboration in cyber security, maritime security and anti-piracy. The dialogue focused on the evolving security situation in West Asia and North Africa amid the spread of terror by the Islamic State.
India and the European Union are seeking to expedite their Joint Declaration on Common Agenda on Migration, according to David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament.
The declaration, adopted at their summit in Brussels last year, calls for “better organising and promoting regular migration at relevant skill levels and fostering well-managed mobility, including the enhanced issuance of visas. The EU has been urging the Indian government to expedite implementation of this action plan since the summit,” McAllister, who led the first visit of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee to India since 2004, told ET.
The issue of smooth migration of skilled Indians in EU member states was among the issues that figured in McAllister’s discussions in India last week in the backdrop of rising protectionism across the world. India and the EU are exploring possibilities for attracting highly skilled workers, including scientists and technologists, IT specialists and managers, to strengthen mobility for these categories and foster innovation in a reciprocal manner, including the possible grant of visas with long-term validity, explained the EU MP.
India concluded social security agreements with two EU members – Germany and Portugal – this month, which will benefit the Indian workforce in these countries. The declaration had also stressed on “maximising the development of migration and mobility, including through cooperation on social security issues.”
McAllister, who is a member of Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union, pointed out that he has driven home during all his meetings the fact that EU remains strong, notwithstanding Brexit, and the continent provides huge opportunities for partnership across sectors including counter-terror, anti-piracy, de-radicalisation besides urbanisation, clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
A focus of McAllister’s visit was exploring cooperation under Indo-EU security, counter-terror and maritime security. He held meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and members of the Indian security establishment.
“India plays an important role in countering terror. India has made the significant contribution in peace-keeping initiatives. This country has been a victim of terror for long and now terror has reached European capitals. The two entities have a lot to cooperate to fight extremism including joint de-radicalisation initiatives,” noted the senior EU official.
McAllister said his discussions with the NSA focused on common interests in countering extremism both regionally and globally, besides collaboration in cyber security, maritime security and anti-piracy. The dialogue focused on the evolving security situation in West Asia and North Africa amid the spread of terror by the Islamic State.
