Indian students pursuing a Master's degree in France will now be given a five-year long-term post-study visa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced.
Modi, who is on an official visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, made the announcement during his address to the Indian community at LA Seine Musicale in Paris on Thursday.
"The last time I came to France, it was decided that Indian students studying in France would be given a two-year post-study work visa. Now, it has been decided that Indian students pursuing Masters in France will be given a long-term post-study visa of five years," he said.
During his address, the Prime Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Indian community in France, who form a strong foundation of the India-France partnership.
Approximately 65,000 immigrants from India currently reside in France.
Around 2.7 million students enroll for French higher education, 14 per cent of whom are foreign students, according to a French embassy data.
France is especially popular for its management programmes with over 70 per cent of Indian students enrolled in them.
According to the latest official data collected post-Covid, there were around 6,000 Indian students in France in the 2021-2022 academic year.
France plans to invite 20,000 Indian students in the country by the year 2025, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said last year.
While calling the plan “very ambitious", Colonna said: “We want 20,000 Indian students in France by 2025. We're starting from something close to 5,000. It is very ambitious but, between India and France, the sky's the limit."
11 illegal migrants held in February in Dharmanagar and Agartala
As per NFR, in an incident on 15th February RPF team of Agartala conducted a routine drive at Agartala Railway Station. While checking they detected 02 female Bangladeshi national sat the station.
State aims to install 50,000 solar plants in 2025: Power Minister
The present state government has set an ambitious goal of installing 50,000 solar plants across the state during the current financial year, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Sunday.
Tension in Manipur districts after Meitei youth goes missing
A 20-year-old youth, belonging to the Meitei community has gone missing from Manipur’s Imphal triggering serious tension in both Imphal West and Imphal East districts, officials said on Monday night.
Vehicles burnt as violent clashes erupt in Nagpur, cops deployed
Amid raging controversy over the demolition of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave situated at Sambhajinagar, violent clashes broke out between two groups in Maharashtra’s second capital Nagpur which led to stone pelting and arson.
PM Modi joins Trump-owned 'Truth Social' platform after US President shares podcast link
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday joined US President Donald Trump-owned social media platform, Truth Social, following a post by the American leader. The post shared a video link of Prime Minister Modi's podcast with renowned US-based podcaster and computer scientist, Lex Fridman.
PM Modi meets Tulsi Gabbard, gifts her vase containing holy Ganga water from Maha Kumbh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard met in the national capital on Monday, exchanging not just pleasantries but also gifts in the form of Ganga Jal (holy Ganga water) and a handcrafted mala.
Won't allow glorification of Aurangzeb's legacy, says Maha CM Fadnavis
Amid the chorus for the demolition of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s grave situated in Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that it was unfortunate that the state government has to protect it.
No ‘Neja Mela’ in Sambhal: Police ban event organised in memory of Masud Ghazi
The 'Neja Mela', which is held every year in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, in memory of Saiyyad Salar Masud Ghazi, will not take place this time. The police have made it clear to the organisers that they will not allow the event to take place in the name of ‘robbers’.