India France Deepen Higher Education Cooperation With Focus on Research and Student Mobility

New Delhi- India and France have discussed expanding cooperation in higher education, research and innovation, with a focus on student and faculty mobility, institutional partnerships and joint academic programmes.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held talks with French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste in New Delhi on Monday as part of the latter’s three-day visit to India from September 28 to 30.

During the meeting, both sides explored new avenues for strengthening academic and research partnerships between institutions in the two countries.

Welcoming the French delegation, Joshi described education as an important component of the long-standing India-France relationship.

He said the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 offers an opportunity to broaden cooperation in areas including education, research and innovation.

The discussions covered strengthening institutional links and expanding opportunities for students, teachers and researchers to participate in academic exchanges and collaborative programmes.

India and France also examined possibilities for deeper engagement in life sciences, social sciences and humanities.

The two sides discussed building on existing institutional partnerships while creating additional opportunities for joint research, academic activities and knowledge exchange.

French higher education institutions were invited to consider establishing branch campuses in India, including at GIFT City in Gujarat and locations where French companies operate and require technically skilled human resources.

The meeting also focused on strengthening people-to-people connections through greater cooperation in language education and teacher training.

Both sides exchanged views on sharing academic expertise and expanding technology-enabled learning.

The ongoing revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) Agreement between India and France was also discussed.

The ministers further explored opportunities to exchange experiences and best practices in digital education and use technology to improve access to quality learning.

The meeting concluded with India and France reaffirming their intention to strengthen cooperation across higher education, research, innovation, language learning and digital education.

French Minister Philippe Baptiste’s visit to India will continue until September 30, 2026.