India, Germany expand cooperation in higher education and skills

The announcement followed bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the latter's visit to India.

Both leaders underlined that education and skills collaboration has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of the India-Germany relationship, driven by rising student mobility, expanding academic partnerships and increasing demand for skilled professionals in both countries. They noted that the number of Indian students pursuing higher education in Germany has seen a sharp rise in recent years, reflecting Germany’s growing appeal as a study destination.

Roadmap for higher education collaboration

A key outcome of the talks was the announcement of an Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education. The roadmap aims to deepen long-term institutional linkages, expand joint and dual degree programmes, and strengthen collaboration in research and innovation between universities in the two countries.

Officials said the roadmap would focus on promoting structured partnerships between higher education institutions, encouraging faculty exchanges and supporting collaborative research in emerging and critical areas such as artificial intelligence, climate science, advanced manufacturing and sustainable technologies.

Prime Minister Modi said education partnerships were essential to building a future-ready workforce and fostering innovation-driven growth. He invited leading German universities to establish campuses in India under the National Education Policy (NEP), signalling India’s intent to attract top global institutions and internationalise its higher education ecosystem.

IIT–German university ties highlighted

The two leaders also acknowledged the strengthening collaboration between Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and German Technical Universities. These partnerships, they said, have become key drivers of advanced research, innovation and skills development.

Joint research projects, co-supervised doctoral programmes and industry-linked innovation initiatives between IITs and German institutions were cited as successful examples of how academic cooperation can translate into real-world technological solutions. Officials noted that such collaborations also help align academic curricula with industry needs, benefiting students and employers alike.

Rising student mobility

Student mobility featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides noting the steady increase in Indian students choosing Germany for higher studies. Germany is now among the top destinations for Indian students in Europe, particularly in engineering, natural sciences and applied research.

Chancellor Merz said Germany values the contribution of Indian students and professionals to its academic institutions and economy. He noted that Indian students are known for their strong academic foundation and research capabilities, making them a valuable part of Germany’s higher education landscape.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed Germany’s efforts to make its education system more accessible and attractive to Indian students, adding that greater mobility strengthens mutual understanding and long-term ties between societies.

Visa-free transit to boost mobility

In a significant step to facilitate travel and academic exchanges, Prime Minister Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for Germany’s announcement of a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders. The move is expected to ease travel for Indian students, researchers and professionals transiting through Germany.

Officials said the visa-free transit facility would reduce procedural hurdles and make international travel more convenient, thereby encouraging greater academic and professional mobility. The initiative is also expected to benefit Indian tourists and business travellers.

"The visa-free transit decision reflects Germany’s recognition of the importance of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening bilateral ties," an official said.

Global Skills Partnership for workforce needs

Addressing Germany’s growing demand for skilled workers, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, engineering and advanced manufacturing, both leaders welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on the Global Skills Partnership.

The agreement establishes an ethical, transparent and sustainable framework for skilled mobility, while ensuring the protection of workers' rights and welfare. Officials said the partnership aims to match India's large pool of skilled talent with Germany's labour market requirements, benefiting both economies.

The Global Skills Partnership will focus on training, certification and recognition of qualifications, ensuring that Indian professionals are well-prepared to integrate into the German workforce.

Promoting German language learning

The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the teaching of the German language in India. Plans include increasing German language instruction in secondary schools, universities and vocational training centres.

Officials said language skills are crucial for improving employability, easing cultural integration and enhancing the effectiveness of academic and professional exchanges. Germany has already been supporting language programmes in India through cultural institutions and academic partnerships.

Prime Minister Modi said promoting foreign languages, including German, aligns with India's broader goal of preparing students for global opportunities under the NEP.

Cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties

Beyond education and skills, both leaders agreed to further strengthen cultural exchanges, including cooperation in the arts, tourism and heritage preservation. Exchanges of students, researchers, artists and professionals were identified as key instruments for deepening mutual understanding.

They reaffirmed their shared commitment to nurturing people-to-people ties as a cornerstone of the broader India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which spans trade, technology, climate action and global governance.

Conclusion

The expanded cooperation in higher education, skilling and mobility marks a new phase in India-Germany relations, with a clear focus on investing in human capital and long-term institutional partnerships. With rising student numbers, new academic roadmaps, eased travel norms and a structured skills framework, both countries are positioning education and people-to-people exchanges as central drivers of their strategic partnership in the years ahead.