India, France discuss greater collaboration in higher education, research, and digital learning - Elets digitalLEARNING - Elets Digital Learning

India and France discussed expanding cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and digital learning during a bilateral meeting between Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, Philippe Baptiste, in New Delhi.

Baptiste is on a three-day visit to India from September 28 to 30, 2026. The discussions focused on strengthening academic and institutional partnerships between the two countries, with particular attention to student, faculty and researcher mobility.

The two sides also explored opportunities for collaborative academic programmes and exchanges, along with greater institutional cooperation in areas including life sciences, social sciences and humanities. The discussions were held in the context of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, which both sides identified as an opportunity to further build partnerships in education, research and innovation.

India also invited French higher education institutions to consider establishing branch campuses in India, including at GIFT City in Gujarat and locations where French companies operate and require skilled technical professionals. The proposal is aimed at creating additional avenues for academic collaboration and strengthening links between education and industry.

Language education and teacher training were also part of the discussions. The ministers considered ways to facilitate greater sharing of academic expertise and strengthen people-to-people connections between India and France.

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The meeting further covered the ongoing revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) Agreement between the two countries. Both sides discussed sharing experiences and practices in digital education and using technology to widen access to quality learning.

The discussions concluded with a commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation across higher education, research, innovation, academic mobility, language learning and digital education.

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