According to the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West), Sanjay Verma, there is a significant trend emerging in the international workforce: within a decade, every second or third youth out of ten will be Indian. Verma made this statement during his address at the third edition of the Spain-India Forum in New Delhi.
Verma emphasized the importance of the migration mobility agreement, which India has already signed with Portugal, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Austria. He stated that Austria has been challenging to work with on migration issues, but if agreements can be reached with other countries, then Spain should also consider it. Verma stressed that stopping migration is not a solution as it doesn’t work.
He also called for taking decisive action, highlighting the proposed observatory as a positive step forward. Verma expressed his interest in following the outcomes of the observatory, suggesting that it could serve as a model for other countries as well.
Verma further stated that India is making significant economic contributions, adding nearly USD 500 billion to the economy every 18 to 20 months. He emphasized the changing demographic profile of India, with an average age of around 30, which not only meets the country’s economic demands but also those of the world.
Verma highlighted the skills and linguistic abilities of Indian youth, emphasizing their potential in bridging the demographic deficit that many parts of the world, particularly Europe, will face. He specifically mentioned the importance of the Spanish language and expressed India’s support in further promoting its usage in the country.
Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, Chairman of the Spain India Council Foundation, expressed his delight in attending the inauguration of the third edition of the Spain-India Forum. He noted that the success of the forum can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of various institutions, including the Observer Research Foundation.
The forum aims to promote bilateral relations between Spain and India in various sectors. It seeks to explore opportunities for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, defense industries, university collaboration, educational exchanges, and the global dimension of the Spanish language.
To achieve these goals, a diverse delegation of 40 members from Spain, representing government, universities, educational institutions, and companies, attended the forum.
In conclusion, the Spain-India Forum serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between Spain and India, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations in key areas. The forum hopes to leverage the demographic advantage and linguistic skills of Indian youth while exploring opportunities for collaboration in various sectors. The Spain India Observatory, promoted by the Spain India Council Foundation, provides a platform for research, monitoring, and dialogue between the two countries.
