Union Minister for Education Shri Pralhad Joshi held a bilateral meeting with French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space H.E. Philippe Baptiste in New Delhi on September 28, 2026. The ministers discussed strengthening India-France cooperation in education, research, and innovation, particularly highlighting the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 as a timely opportunity to deepen collaboration.
The meeting focused on several key areas including academic mobility of students, faculty, and researchers; institutional linkages between higher educational institutions; and expanding opportunities for collaborative academic programs and exchanges. Specific discussion points included greater cooperation in life sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with emphasis on institutional interaction and collaborative research activities.
Notably, French higher educational institutions were invited to explore opening branch campuses in India, specifically in GIFT City, Gujarat, and at locations where French companies operate and require technical human resources. The discussions also covered the ongoing revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Agreement between India and France, sharing best practices in digital education, and leveraging technology to expand access to quality learning.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in higher education, innovation, language education, and digital learning, acknowledging the importance of people-to-people ties and the longstanding India-France partnership in education.