In a significant development, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave ex-post facto approval to the migration and mobility agreement between India and Italy.?
This agreement, aimed at strengthening people-to-people contacts, facilitating student mobility, and enhancing cooperation on issues related to irregular migration, promises a host of benefits for Indian students.
Post-Study Opportunities Secured Under the Flows Decree
Under the Flows Decree, Italy has ensured that the existing provisions of its visa regime, including post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training, will be preserved. This secures advantages for Indian students, allowing them to explore career avenues beyond academics in Italy.
1. Indian students completing academic or vocational training in Italy can now stay for an additional 12 months to gain initial professional experience.
2. Quotas for non-seasonal Indian workers have been allocated, with provisions for 5,000, 6,000, and 7,000 workers for 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. A total reserved quota of 12,000 has been set for non-seasonal workers.
3. Seasonal Indian workers have been allotted quotas of 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 for 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. The total reserved quota for seasonal workers is 8,000.
4. Specific provisions for professional training, extracurricular, and curricular internships have been outlined, enabling Indian students and trainees to gain experience aligned with Italian skill and training standards.
Incremental Quotas and Collaborative Efforts
Under the Flows Decree, Italy has proposed incremental reserved quotas for seasonal and non-seasonal workers from 2023 to 2025. The agreement also formalizes collaborative efforts to enhance mobility pathways between India and Italy.
Joint Working Group for Monitoring and Implementation
A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be formed to monitor the agreement, meeting periodically in virtual or physical mode. The JWG will oversee the implementation, share relevant information, assess progress, and discuss proposals to support the agreement's effective execution.
Duration and Signatories
Unless any participant terminates it, the agreement will be in effect for five years and automatically renew for a similar period. It was signed on November 2, 2023, with Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, representing the Indian government, and Shri Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representing the Italian government.
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