The European Union is working on a legislation which will make it easier for students and researchers from India to visit Europe.
“We are working on a Europe-wide legislation which will help us (EU) to welcome Indian students and researchers. Within the next few years, we are going to see a greater ease of access for bonafide students and researchers in European Union,” H.E. Joao Cravinho, Ambassador and head of delegation of EU in India, told reporters recently. “EU is interested in Indian students and building up platform links through their university contacts. We are interested in the skills that Europe needs,” he said on the sidelines of a conference on “India-EU Migration and Mobility: Prospects and Challenges.”
Underlining that India and the EU have enormous potential for having binding ties in this field, Mr. Cravinho said, “India has a tremendously ambitious skill development programme.
Our growth is dependent on finding appropriate labour. So we have every interest in working together in developing a common approach that could benefit both,” the EU delegation head said.
Both Europe and India, he said, have great compatibility in cultural terms and understanding between the peoples which would help in terms of mobility, migration and interaction between Europeans and Indians. Asked if there will be an ease in visa norms, Mr. Cravinho said it will be all a part of the package. Mr. Cravinho said that at the academic level, the Erasmus Mundus programme, which hassince 2004 aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education through scholarships between Europe, India and other countries, has benefited close to 1,400 students from India, apart from 700 researchers who have received grants under the Marie Curie Fellowship scheme.
“India and the EU are currently negotiating a Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM) which is aimed at reaching common targets and commitments,” he said.
