The European Union (EU) and India recently concluded one of the most significant trade agreements in history, which also includes a clause on migration and mobility, that is, their simplification.
This part of the agreement has raised certain concerns and questions — does this mean that after the agreement comes into force, Indian citizens will be able to enter the EU and stay there even more easily, writes tv3.lv.
A representative of the European Commission explained in a comment to tv3.lv that the EU's migration policy simultaneously implies a tough stance on illegal migration and openness to attracting skilled professionals from abroad. In this context, it is important to understand the essence of the memorandum of understanding between the EU and India.
As part of its cooperation with India, the EU plans to create the first pilot project — the "European Legal Coordination Office" (Legal Gateway Office). It will function as a one-stop center providing information and support for the mobility of Indian students and workers, primarily in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT), the Commission representative explains.
What does this specifically change?
The main question for many is — does this mean that Indian citizens will be able to enter and stay in the European Union more freely?
The short answer is no, visa rules are not being abolished, but the process itself will become clearer, faster, and more predictable.
"This does not change visa conditions overnight, but mobility is enshrined as a key part of the EU-India partnership," explained Mayank Maheshwari, co-founder of University Living, to India Today.
According to the European Commission, the agreement provides for controlled, legal, and mutually beneficial mobility that meets the needs of the European labor market.
"This memorandum is not about throwing open the doors to uncontrolled migration. It is about legal mobility that helps address the labor shortage problem in Europe," the Commission emphasizes.
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