Correspondent | TheNewsSite.In |
As artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization, and the green transition are shaping an unprecedented future, human resource has emerged as one of the most critical factors of economic development, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, remarked on Tuesday. “I am confident that the Human Resource Mobility Forum will generate valuable insights, will strengthen partnerships, and will contribute meaningfully to our collective efforts in shaping the future of global talent mobility,” he affirmed.
Inaugurating the Human Resource Mobility Forum in the presence of state functionaries, diplomats from several missions, global recruiters, and skill-training agencies, Dr. Jaishankar said, “Now, we all know that the world is undergoing a profound transformation. And as part of that, demographic patterns are changing sharply across continents. Technological innovation is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization, and green transition are also redefining the skills that are required for tomorrow’s economy. But the challenges of yesteryears also remain with us, be they of health, manufacturing, construction, or agriculture. At the same time, societies are becoming increasingly interconnected, and the ability of nations to think creatively will significantly influence their prospects for future prosperity.
“So, against this backdrop, the movement of talent and skills has acquired increased importance. For much of modern history, economic discussions have centred around trade, investments, and the movement of goods and capital. But now, human resource has emerged as one of the most critical factors of economic development. Countries are increasingly recognizing that access to skilled and adaptable talent is essential for sustaining growth, fostering innovation, and maintaining productivity. In fact, we would even say, for maintaining their quality of life,” Dr. Jaishankar said.
Addressing the audience at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the capital, EAM confirmed: “As on date, India has signed 28 Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs), or their equivalents, with 26 countries, and several others are currently under negotiation. Equally important is the collective responsibility of nations to combat illegal migration, exploitative practices, fraudulent intermediaries, and human trafficking. These challenges compromise the credibility of legal mobility ecosystems and can place vulnerable individuals at risk.
“One key pillar which has brought about a transformation in the governance of migration has been the use of digital systems and tools. Just two years back, we had launched the eMigrate V.2 platform with better functionalities and services, creating a safer, more transparent, and legal structure for mobility. India’s commitment to safe and legal mobility is reflected in the eMigrate platform. And since its inception, more than 50 lakh, i.e. five million, emigration clearances have been issued. This digital ecosystem has become a global example of leveraging technology to protect migrant workers while facilitating mobility.
“As we now look towards the future, several emerging trends deserve our attention. Advances in artificial intelligence and automation are expected to transform labour markets across many geographies and many sectors. While some occupations may undergo significant change, entirely new categories of employment will also emerge. The green economy will create demands for new skills and capabilities. But as I said, the orthodox demands also continue. Healthcare and caregiving services will become especially important with ageing populations. So the silver economy is as important as the tech one.
“These developments require governments, industry, educational institutions, and international organizations to work together much more closely than they have ever done before. We must develop mechanisms that anticipate future workforce requirements. We must strengthen systems that support continuous learning and skill adaptation. We must also facilitate greater recognition of qualifications and competencies across jurisdictions. Above all, we must ensure that workers are prepared not just for today’s opportunities, but also for the demands of tomorrow.
“The welfare and protection of our people obviously remain the fundamental guiding principle of our migration governance. The ICWF, the Indian Community Welfare Fund, responsive consular services, and our MADAD, eMigrate, and other portals, by addressing grievances, have helped ensure timely assistance to our nationals overseas.
“The Human Resource Mobility Forum provides an important platform to advance all these objectives. By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, employers, and practitioners, the Forum creates opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from experiences, and explore new approaches towards mobility. Such a dialogue, I believe, is essential because the opportunities and challenges associated with mobility transcend national boundaries. No country can address them in isolation. And no department within the Government similarly can do it alone.
“We have today chosen five countries, I believe, for detailed discussion on deepening collaborations which already exist based on the mobility agreements which we have signed in the recent past. The emphasis here would be to discuss the ways by which mobility agreements which have been signed and the implementation mechanisms that are envisaged may be put to good use for our mutual benefit.
“India stands ready to work with its partners around the world in advancing our shared vision. We believe that trusted mobility pathways can contribute to stronger economies, to more resilient societies, and to deeper international cooperation. We believe that mobility, when guided by fairness and responsibility, can really serve as a powerful force for inclusive growth and human progress.”
“We have recruited over 5,000 people to Canada, but things have changed post-COVID. Such a forum will be helpful for us, and the mobility agreements will support us in getting recruiters the right talent from India,” Shaji George, from Pathanamthitta, Kerala, who runs a recruitment agency, told TheNewsSite.in.
“There is a serious need for skilled engineers in Qatar, the UAE, as well as Germany. The Mobility Forum is highly useful for recruitment agencies as they look for Indian workers,” Gautham Vinjamuri, who specializes in healthcare and truck driver recruitment, told TheNewsSite.in.
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