New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said India is emerging as a trusted innovation partner and advancing a collaborative model rooted in capacity-building and shared knowledge.
He was addressing the Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave 2026 organised by the Ministry of Education at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The conclave brought together Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and representatives of diplomatic missions from over 50 countries, along with senior officials of the ministry. The meeting focused on strengthening international cooperation in higher education.
Speaking at the event, Pradhan outlined the transformation of India’s education system under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He highlighted progress in the internationalisation of education and stressed India’s focus on quality, innovation, and affordability.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned India as a developed nation by 2047, when the country marks 100 years of Independence. In this context, Pradhan noted that India remains a bright spot in the global economy, offering vast opportunities for learning, research, and innovation.
The minister said India’s strength lies in its vibrant knowledge ecosystem, demographic dividend, and fast-growing economy. Through NEP 2020 and the Study in India initiative, the country is expanding global pathways for students, researchers, and institutions.
He also pointed to India’s growing role in sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors, and sustainable energy, according to an official statement.
Calling education the most enduring bridge between societies, Pradhan said India aims to build strong knowledge partnerships with friendly nations. He urged diplomatic representatives to collaborate with India’s innovation-driven and multidisciplinary education system.
Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi said NEP 2020 has guided reforms in higher education over the past six years. He highlighted progress in multidisciplinary learning, integration of skilling, and deeper international engagement. He said institutions are expanding joint, dual, and twinning programmes, while premier universities are strengthening their global presence.
Joshi added that the University Grants Commission has introduced a transparent and time-bound framework allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India. Applications from leading institutions in Australia, Italy, the UK, and the US have been cleared within a month. He described the Study in India initiative as an open invitation for global education partnerships.
The discussions at the conclave highlighted India’s evolving higher education ecosystem and explored collaboration in student mobility, joint programmes, research partnerships, and campus establishment.
The Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave 2026 served as a platform to deepen diplomatic engagement in education. It encouraged students from partner countries to pursue higher education and short-term courses in India, promoted institutional collaborations, and invited globally ranked universities to establish campuses in the country.
