New Delhi

In a move aimed at deepening legal and strategic collaboration, the European Union on Wednesday launched its first-ever European Legal Gateway Office in New Delhi.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Representatives from several EU Member States were also present, according to a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan.

The European Legal Gateway Office in India is the first such initiative established in a partner country. It is designed to promote safe, transparent and well-regulated migration and mobility from India to EU Member States, particularly in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

The office will provide Indian students, researchers and skilled professionals with accurate and comprehensive information on work, study and research opportunities across all 27 EU Member States. It will also assist EU-based companies and universities seeking to connect with qualified Indian talent.

As outlined in the statement, the initiative will function through three interlinked components: a Gateway Office in India, a Support Office within the EU, and a digital platform serving as a single-window resource for reliable information on mobility pathways and skill requirements.

The pilot project was first announced at the 16th EU-India Summit held on January 27 in New Delhi by Ursula von der Leyen. It was also referenced in the Joint Communication on the new EU-India Strategic Agenda and in the Union of Skills Communication.

Speaking at the launch, Virkkunen underlined the importance of digital skills in driving technological transformation. She said the new office would enhance the EU’s ability to attract Indian ICT professionals, thereby strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and expanding opportunities for collaboration.

Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner described the initiative as a milestone in EU-India cooperation on talent mobility. He noted that the office would help link Indian ICT professionals with European employers and academic institutions, creating mutually beneficial growth prospects.

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EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin also welcomed the launch, calling it a significant step toward connecting the labour markets of India and the EU, particularly in the technology domain.