In a rare joint media outreach on 23 January, ambassadors from Italy, Estonia, Malta and several other EU states met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to preview deliverables for next week’s India-EU summit. While tariffs and digital trade will dominate headlines, diplomats told reporters that a dedicated ‘labour-mobility and skills recognition’ chapter is now on the negotiating table for the FTA.
According to the envoys, Brussels is prepared to offer faster, multi-year business visas for Indian ICT and engineering professionals in exchange for smoother market access for European agri-food and green-tech firms. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications in sectors such as nursing and architecture is also under discussion, a move that could unlock thousands of placements across Europe.
![EU Envoys Flag Labour-Mobility Chapter Ahead of 27 January India-EU Summit]()
For Indian professionals and companies looking to take advantage of these forthcoming opportunities, VisaHQ India (https://www.visahq.com/india/) can simplify the process. The platform provides detailed visa requirement information, document verification services, and end-to-end application support, helping travelers secure the necessary permits quickly and accurately once new mobility provisions are in force.
Industry groups welcomed the signals. The IT-BPM Council said streamlined Blue-Card rules could cut assignment-setup time by 40 percent, while Indian construction majors eyeing EU infrastructure contracts called qualification recognition “a game changer.”
Negotiators will work through the weekend to finalize text before leaders meet on 27 January. Even a framework accord—pending full ratification—would give multinationals clearer timelines to plan 2027-28 staff rotations into Europe.
According to the envoys, Brussels is prepared to offer faster, multi-year business visas for Indian ICT and engineering professionals in exchange for smoother market access for European agri-food and green-tech firms. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications in sectors such as nursing and architecture is also under discussion, a move that could unlock thousands of placements across Europe.
For Indian professionals and companies looking to take advantage of these forthcoming opportunities, VisaHQ India (https://www.visahq.com/india/) can simplify the process. The platform provides detailed visa requirement information, document verification services, and end-to-end application support, helping travelers secure the necessary permits quickly and accurately once new mobility provisions are in force.
Industry groups welcomed the signals. The IT-BPM Council said streamlined Blue-Card rules could cut assignment-setup time by 40 percent, while Indian construction majors eyeing EU infrastructure contracts called qualification recognition “a game changer.”
Negotiators will work through the weekend to finalize text before leaders meet on 27 January. Even a framework accord—pending full ratification—would give multinationals clearer timelines to plan 2027-28 staff rotations into Europe.
