Germany has announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders, making international travel easier and more convenient for Indian travellers. This new decision means that Indians who are passing through German airports while travelling to another country will no longer need to apply for a separate transit visa. Earlier, many Indian passengers had to complete additional paperwork and wait for approval even if they were only changing flights in Germany. With this move, travel will become smoother, faster, and less stressful.

The announcement was made in the India–Germany joint statement released on Monday after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India from January 12 to 13. This was an important visit, as it marked Merz’s first trip to India and his first visit to Asia since becoming Federal Chancellor. During the visit, both countries discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and deepen their long-standing partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed and thanked Chancellor Merz for the visa-free transit decision. According to the joint statement, this step will not only make travel easier for Indian nationals but also strengthen people-to-people connections between the two countries. Both leaders agreed that strong personal and cultural ties are a key pillar of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership.

The two sides also expressed satisfaction over the growing exchange of students, researchers, skilled professionals, artists, and tourists between India and Germany. They acknowledged the important role played by the Indian community in Germany, especially its contribution to the country’s economy, innovation, and cultural diversity.

Education and skill development were major topics during the discussions. The leaders noted that the number of Indian students studying in Germany is increasing steadily. They also highlighted the growth of joint and dual degree programmes and closer cooperation between universities in both countries. Special attention was given to initiatives that help Indian students and graduates integrate into the German job market after completing their studies.

Both sides also welcomed stronger links between Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and German technical universities. To further boost academic cooperation, India and Germany agreed to create an Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education. Prime Minister Modi also invited leading German universities to open campuses in India under the country’s New Education Policy, aiming to give Indian students more global learning opportunities at home.