France To Attract 30,000 Indian Students By 2030, Macron Explains

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that France aims to attract 30,000 Indian students to its universities by 2030, marking a significant initiative to strengthen academic collaboration between the two nations.

During his visit to India, coinciding with the 75th Republic Day celebrations where he serves as the chief guest, Macron shared on X (formerly Twitter) that this ambitious plan is part of a broader effort to enhance France’s ties with India, a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The target was initially set following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in July 2023.

As Macron unveiled the vision, he emphasized the launch of innovative approaches to learning French in public schools through the initiative ‘French for All, French for a Better Future.’

Furthermore, the French President underscored the streamlining of the visa process for former Indian students who studied in France, facilitating their return.

This announcement aligns with France’s interim goal of attracting 20,000 Indian students by 2025, laying the foundation for the more substantial target of 30,000 by 2030.

Acknowledging the ambitious nature of the objective, Macron expressed his determination to achieve it, highlighting the French government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for Indian students.

Notably, initiatives like the 2018 “Campus France” program have already contributed to a 20% increase in the number of Indian students choosing France for their studies.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed President Macron’s visit, commending the French leader’s two-day exploration of Rajasthan, featuring visits to iconic sites such as Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal, before participating in the Republic Day ceremony on January 26.