The two nations have chosen a new roadmap to chart a bilateral relationship until 2047, which would ultimately coincide with the 100th anniversary of Indian independence, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Franco-Indian partnership, which was established in 1998. During his two-day trip to France, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcements.
According to a joint press release from the two nations, “the deepening of our links in education, sciences and technologies, and culture, and the blossoming exchanges between our young people, as well as the success of a diaspora in expansion, bring our people together and set the bases of future partnerships.” The roadmap outlined France’s goal of accepting 20,000 and 30,000 Indian students, respectively, by 2025 and 2030, while significantly boosting the resources of the Campus France network in India. A new goal of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 and a five-year short-stay Schengen visa for Indian master’s graduates who have studied for a semester in France are included in the most recent Franco-Indian roadmap.
In order to simplify the integration of Indian students who do not speak French into the French higher education system, a new framework for foreign classes was also announced. Indian students will learn the French language and academic subjects through the new courses, and upon completion, they will be qualified to enroll in Bachelor’s programs offered in the language.