Germany Allows Visa-Free Transit for Indian Passport Holders – Big Travel Relief

Germany has announced that Indian passport holders will be able to transit through its airports without a visa. This is expected to make international travel much easier for Indians and strengthen ties between the two countries.

The India-Germany joint statement that came out on Monday after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to India from January 12 to 13 made the announcement. As Federal Chancellor, this was Merz's first trip to India and his first trip to Asia.

The visa-free transit facility means that Indian travelers who are going through German airports on their way to another country no longer need to apply for a separate transit visa. This makes travel easier, faster, and with less paperwork.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for the news that there would be no visa required for transit.

The joint statement said that the step "will not only make it easier for Indians to travel, but it will also strengthen ties between people." Both leaders said again that "strong people-to-people ties are a vital pillar of the Strategic Partnership."

The two sides were happy about the growing number of students, researchers, skilled workers, artists, and tourists who are coming to Germany. They also recognized the "valuable contribution of the Indian community to Germany's economy, innovation, and cultural life." They also talked about how important it is to work together more in education, research, vocational training, culture, and youth exchanges to better understand each other.

The talks focused a lot on education and skills. The leaders talked about how more and more Indian students are coming to Germany, how joint and dual degree programs are growing, and how higher education institutions are working together more closely.

They liked programs that help Indian students and graduates get jobs in Germany, as well as partnerships between Indian Institutes of Technology and German technical universities. Both sides agreed to make an Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education. PM Modi also asked top German universities to open campuses in India as part of the New Education Policy.