France Aims To Have 30,000 Indian Students By 2030: French President Macron

Emmanuel Macron announced that France will streamline the visa process for all former Indian students who have studied in the country.

PM Modi with French President Macron. ( Image Source :Getty )

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday a significant initiative aimed at strengthening academic bonds between France and India. He expressed France's ambitious goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students to its universities by 2030. “30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. It’s a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X.

He said that the country will be launching a new initiative ''French for All, French for a Better Future" to teach French in public schools.

“We are developing the network of Alliances françaises, with new centers to learn French. We are creating international classes which will allow students, who do not necessarily speak French, to join our universities,” Macron's post reads.

The president also announced plans to streamline the visa process for all former Indian students who have completed their studies in France.

“Coming to France means looking for excellence. We have now 35 universities in the QS ranking, and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking. India and France have so much to do together, now and in the future. We will achieve this with you, our young people, in exchange and cooperation, in trust, in friendship!” Macron said.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris last year as the chief guest for France's National Day on July 14, the French President reaffirmed his commitment to hosting 20,000 Indian students by 2025, with a subsequent increase to 30,000 by 2030.

Macron is currently the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day parade in New Delhi. His visit commenced in Jaipur on January 25, where Prime Minister Modi welcomed him and presented a replica of Ayodhya's Ram Temple. The two leaders engaged in discussions while sharing tea, focusing on enhancing strategic cooperation in areas such as security, trade, defence, and clean energy.