- India and France discuss deeper higher education, research and innovation ties, with French institutions invited to explore branch campuses in India, including GIFT City, alongside expanded academic mobility and digital learning.
India and France discuss expanding cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and academic mobility, with India inviting French higher education institutions to explore establishing branch campuses in the country.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi holds a bilateral meeting with France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste in New Delhi. The discussions focus on strengthening institutional partnerships and creating new opportunities for collaboration between Indian and French academic and research institutions.
The meeting takes place during the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, which both countries are using to expand cooperation in education, research and innovation. Joshi highlights education as an important pillar of the bilateral relationship and discusses opportunities to build on existing institutional collaborations.
A key focus is the expansion of institutional linkages, including greater mobility for students, faculty members and researchers. The two sides also discuss collaborative academic programmes, exchanges and joint research initiatives across disciplines.
The discussions cover potential cooperation in life sciences, social sciences and humanities, with emphasis on institutional interaction, joint academic activities and research. The ministers also exchange views on strengthening knowledge partnerships and developing new avenues for academic cooperation.
French Universities Invited to Establish Campuses: India invites French higher education institutions to explore setting up branch campuses in India, including at GIFT City in Gujarat. French institutions are also encouraged to consider locations where French companies operate and require technically skilled manpower.
The move is part of India’s broader efforts to expand internationalization in higher education and facilitate greater participation by foreign universities. In June 2026, the Ministry of Education issued Letters of Approval to the University of Bristol, University of York and University of New South Wales to establish campuses in India.
Focus on Language and Digital Education: The two countries also discuss strengthening language learning and teacher education, sharing academic expertise and expanding technology enabled learning.
Another area of discussion is the ongoing revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) Agreement between India and France. The ministers exchange views on digital education practices and ways to use technology to improve access to quality learning.
The meeting concludes with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation in higher education, innovation, language education, digital learning and research. The discussions provide a framework for further institutional partnerships and academic exchanges between India and France.
