Kolkata: Movement of talent is a crucial requirement to enrich an economy, often for both the source and destination countries. While the destination economy benefits
from the fruits of the visiting talent, the origin country benefits from repatriations of income. Unfortunately 2025 witnessed curbs on talent mobility, thanks to the whimsical moves of the US president Donald Trump. But the India-EU FTA has some provisions for mobility of the incredible talent pool of India. In fact, if the curbs on entry to the US remain, the EU can open up an alternative window for Indian talent in many sectors.
“Global talent mobility is accelerating as a critical driver of economic resilience, with India emerging as a premier, high-demand source for skilled professionals in AI, engineering, and IT, particularly in Europe, the US, and the Gulf. Nearly 34 million Indians live abroad, with India’s young workforce providing essential skills amid shrinking working-age populations in other regions,” said the government in a statement.
Key trends and needs for Indian talent pool
The India-EU FTA has secured “temporary entry and stay for professionals, including business visitors, intra-corporate transferees, contractual service suppliers and even independent professionals” said the government.
The sectors that will directly benefit from the deal includes sectors where Indian professionals are in high demand and these include AI, technology, renewable energy and industrial automation. One of the big economies which has such scope seems to be Germany, which will have more than 7 lakh vacancies this year.
Securing mobility of talent is an area that the Indian government is facilitating via initiatives such as GATI scheme (Global Access to Talent from India). The focus is to secure rights and professional growth for Indian workers abroad. Obviously talent mobility flourishes at the trijunction of career development, higher compensation and financial gains. “To enhance global mobility, there is a focus on standardizing skills, providing global certifications, and strengthening welfare mechanisms for Indians working abroad,” the government said.
India, a hub for talent
A comprehensive mobility framework is supposed to ease movement of employees of Indian companies including their spouse and dependent individuals established in the EU in all services sectors. There are as many as 37 sub-sectors such as IT, business, and professional services which Indians can exploit to gain entry. These individuals could be working for businesses offering services under a contract to clients based in the EU.
Apart from this, India and EU agreed on constructive framework to enable Social Security Agreements in five years with all the EU member countries. There will be also a continuing framework for entry of India students to study in the EU and after the end of study obtain work visa.
