"We want to make our advanced technology available and we will compete with countries like the U.S. for India's best brains," Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany

Earlier, German Interior Minister Otto Schily announced that immigration rules would be relaxed to facilitate the entry of Indian software experts without compromising security. Certain restrictive features in Germany's green card work permit scheme would be removed, allowing spouses and children of computer professional to get visas.

Last year Chancellor Schroeder announced that his government would issue special five-year visas to around 20,000 hi-tech professionals in Asia and outside the European Union. German officials say 10,000 green cards were issued to technology professionals last year and 20 percent of them to Indians.

- nriol.com report

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