India, France Discuss Student Mobility, Joint Research And French University Campuses
Both sides explore deeper cooperation in higher education and research.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held a bilateral meeting with France's Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, Philippe Baptiste, in New Delhi on Monday. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation between India and France in education, research, innovation, academic mobility and institutional partnerships.
The two sides discussed stronger links between educational institutions and greater opportunities for students, faculty members and researchers to travel and collaborate. They also explored joint academic programmes and exchanges, along with cooperation in life sciences, social sciences and humanities through joint academic activities and research initiatives.
Joshi highlighted the longstanding relationship between India and France and described education as an important part of the bilateral partnership. He said the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 could provide an opportunity to further develop cooperation in education, research and innovation while creating stronger knowledge partnerships between institutions in both countries.
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The ministers also discussed expanding existing collaborations and developing new academic initiatives. Joshi said on X that the discussions included student and faculty mobility, joint research and institutional partnerships, as well as progress on the revised Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Agreement. He also referred to programmes such as SPARC and GIAN, the Franco-Indian Campus in Life Sciences and Health, and the proposed Indian Institute of Technology campus in Nice.
French higher education institutions were invited to consider establishing campuses in India, including at GIFT City in Gujarat and in locations where French companies operate and require technically skilled workers. The discussions also covered opportunities to strengthen language education and teacher training, share academic expertise and use technology to improve access to learning.
The two countries further discussed digital education, including the exchange of experiences and best practices in technology-enabled learning. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in higher education, innovation, language education and digital learning, while using existing and proposed institutional partnerships to create additional opportunities for students, researchers and faculty.
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