Germany has identified India as the highest-priority country in its international migration policy, signalling Berlin’s growing dependence on Indian skilled professionals to address labour shortages and strengthen its innovation-driven economy.
The remarks were made by German Commissioner for Multilateral Affairs Florian Lodi during a programme organised by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations on the theme “Leveraging Digital Innovation in Migration Governance.”
Speaking at the event, Lodi described India as one of Germany’s most important partners for skilled migration, particularly in science and technology sectors. He said the cooperation between the two countries had emerged as a “triple win” — benefiting migrants, Germany’s labour-strained economy, and India’s large skilled workforce.
“This is a victory for thousands of young Indian workers who have come to Germany. I see it every day on the streets of Berlin,” he said.
Indian Workforce Presence in Germany Sees Sharp Growth
Highlighting the increasing role of Indians in Germany’s economy, Lodi said nearly 1,80,000 Indians contributed to Germany’s workforce in 2025 alone, representing a 656 percent increase over the last decade.
“Overall, Indian migrants in Germany are highly qualified, especially in the fields of science and technology. Their extraordinary ability is also reflected in their average income, which is higher than the average income of Germany,” he said.
The remarks underscore a broader shift in Europe’s migration priorities as countries across the continent struggle with ageing populations, demographic decline and persistent shortages of skilled labour.
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has increasingly turned to India as a strategic partner to meet demand for engineers, IT professionals, healthcare workers, researchers and other skilled specialists.
India-Germany Migration Pact Expands Mobility
Lodi also highlighted the importance of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) signed between India and Germany in 2022, saying the pact had eased migration pathways for skilled workers, students and researchers.
According to him, both countries are working to simplify procedures such as degree recognition, visa processing and digital documentation systems for migrants.
“We are continuously making necessary processes easier for migrants, such as degree recognition and making the visa process faster and digital,” he said.
He added that India and Germany are also expanding cooperation on mutual recognition of professional qualifications while increasing access to German language courses and examinations in India.
Indian Students Become Largest International Group in Germany
Germany has also witnessed a sharp increase in the number of Indian students enrolling at universities across the country. Lodi said more than 60,000 Indian students have been studying in Germany for three consecutive years, making them the country’s largest international student community.
“More than half of them get a job in Germany after completing their studies,” he said.
The trend reflects Germany’s growing strategy of using higher education as a long-term pathway for skilled migration and workforce integration.
India Emerges as Strategic Partner for Germany
Describing India as one of Germany’s “special political and economic partners,” Lodi said the relationship was built on shared democratic values and common geopolitical interests.
“India has become one of Germany’s special political and economic partners, as we value common values and interests such as freedom, democracy and the rules-based international order,” he said.
He also referred to remarks made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had highlighted India’s importance in Germany’s skilled migration strategy during his visit to India earlier this year.
The growing migration partnership comes at a time when countries worldwide are competing aggressively for global talent, placing India’s young and highly skilled workforce at the centre of international economic and migration strategies.
