Bangalore: Bavarian Minister, Edmund Stoiber today (Feb 17, 2004) asserted that Germany would outsource more software work from Indian IT (Information Technology) firms, even as he asked India to provide greater market access for German products and services in the country.

"Indian software engineers are already developing products for German companies, with outsourcing of jobs to India. The amount of outsourcing of services will increase to India, but India should also open its market so that Indians will also be able to buy products and services of ours," Stoiber said before leaving for New Delhi, where he will meet Minister for External Affairs Yashwanth Sinha and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He said that thousands of software engineers are already working in Germany and invited Indian students to study in German universities.

Stoiber, who lost to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in the last elections, said that India should open up its auto sector for German cars, which were becoming expensive due to high duties and "bureaucratic red tape".

The Chief Minister of the largest German State said that his country was aiming at public transport, airport, engineering goods and environment protection in India, adding that "mutual cooperation in public health and medical technology" were other key areas.

Welcoming the present peace talks between India and Pakistan, he said, it would provide economic stability in the region.

"The peace negotiations between India and Pakistan which has begun is certainly an outstanding event of the beginning of this year," Stoiber said adding that he would discuss this point during his interaction with Vajpayee.

"It is not just of great interest here (India and Pakistan), but the whole world is keeping a close watch on the developments. Only peace can bring economic stability in the region," he said.

Stoiber said that Germany was discussing a new immigration law, which provides liberal rules to work in the country for top professionals.