French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on Friday that the country hopes to welcome 30,000 Indian students in its universities by 2030 and that he is "determined to make it happen".
Calling it an "ambitious" target, Macron, who is the chief guest at India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, said that the two countries 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 wrote on X, adding that France will facilitate the visa process for any former Indian students who studied in the country.
Further, the president said that they are launching new pathways to learn the French language in public schools with the initiative "French for All, French for a Better Future".
"We are developing the network of Alliances francaises, 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," he said.
Stating that "coming to France means looking for excellence", Macron informed that the country now has 35 universities in the QS ranking, and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking.
The French President had last year announced his intent to welcome 20,000 Indian students by 2025 and reach 30,000 by 2030 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris as Chief Guest of the country's National Day on July 14.
It was also announced that the country will issue "Schengen visas with a validity period of five years to Indians who have studied in France during at least one semester, on the condition that they pass a Master level degree".
Macron arrived in Jaipur on January 25 where Modi met him and presented a replica of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir.
The two leaders bonded over masala chai and held discussions on further consolidating strategic cooperation in defence, security, trade, and clean energy.
Manipur Police arrest 11 militants, recover large cache of arms, ammunition
The Manipur Police arrested 11 militants belonging to various banned outfits and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the past 24 hours, officials said here on Friday.
PM Modi unveils 21-point action plan at 6th BIMSTEC Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented a comprehensive 21-point action plan during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, laying out an ambitious road map for cooperation across diverse sectors.
ED raids multiple premises of 'Empuraan' producer Gokulam Gopalan
Amid the controversy surrounding Malayalam film ‘Empuraan’ starring superstar Mohanlal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at multiple premises linked to film’s producer Gokulam Gopalan.
SC declines PIL seeking restriction of social media platforms for kids below 13 years
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention to regulate access to social media platforms for children below 13 years of age.
BIMSTEC Summit: PM Modi, Yunus meet amid strained ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a bilateral meeting with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladeshi interim government, on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Rupee strengthens against dollar amid Trump's reciprocal tariffs
The Indian rupee witnessed sharp gains on Friday at below 85 against dollar, as the dollar index and oil prices dropped sharply amid concerns over recession in the US economy after the reciprocal tariffs were announced.
Quad to send $20 million relief support to earthquake-ravaged Myanmar
Quad members Australia, India, Japan, and the United States on Friday collectively committed over $20 million in humanitarian assistance to support the relief efforts for the earthquake-devastated Myanmar.
'Waqf Bill will benefit Muslims, no threat to religious sites,' says Shahabuddin Razvi
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, the National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, expressed his support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would significantly benefit Muslims and ensure the betterment of their socio-economic conditions.