New Delhi: Indian students and professionals are set to gain unprecedented access to Europe after India and Euro-pean Union finalised a sweeping free trade agreement alongside a mobility framework that commits EU to unca-pped movement for learners.Officials said the pact marks a decisive shift towards talent-led cooperation, with education, skills and research emerging as key pillars of the partnership. At the heart of the deal is a mobility arrangement that will ease travel and residence for students, researchers and skilled workers, backed by a proposed one-stop support hub for Indian talent entering Europe.European Commission pr-esident Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement would facilitate movement of students and researchers while aligning talent flows with workforce needs. She announced progress on India’s association with ‘Horizon Europe’, the world’s largest public research programme, opening new pathways for institutions, startups and scientists in areas like health, clean energy and frontier technologies and AI. FTA comes with renewed scientific and technological cooperation for 2025-2030, aimed at expanding joint research, innovation and technology development. For Indian universities and R&D centres, this translates into deeper access to Europe’s research ecosystem, global exposure for scholars, and stronger collaboration in next-generation technologies.The framework provides structured entry for professionals, contractual service suppliers and independent experts across sectors, including IT, R&D and higher education, while smoothing movement for corporate employees and families. Officials said this would create opportunities for Indian youth, strengthen services exports, and enable smoother post-study work options.Education providers expect the pact to boost demand for European degrees, joint programmes and exchange initiatives, while giving Indian graduates wider choices for internships and early-career placements. The agreement also signals growing space for digitally delivered services and professional education.Policymakers also see the deal as a skills accelerator – linking India’s large youth workforce with Europe’s ageing labour markets, while encouraging innovation-driven employment at home through research partnerships and technology transfer.
