France invites 30,000 Indian students by 2030; know why

France has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students to its shores by the year 2030. This announcement comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris as the chief guest of France’s National Day, with President Emmanuel Macron making the commitment.

To facilitate this initiative, the French embassy in India has introduced several measures, including the issuance of a five-year short-stay Schengen visa, designed to attract a greater number of Indian students. These efforts align with the vision of strengthening people-to-people ties, which is one of the core pillars of the strategic partnership between the two nations, as highlighted during the PM’s visit.

In addition to the visa facilitation, France has also unveiled plans to establish “international classes.” This specialised programme aims to offer comprehensive training in the French language and various academic disciplines, providing Indian students with a well-rounded educational experience.

Emmanuel Lenain, the Ambassador of France to India, expressed his commitment to realising these initiatives, stating, “Our teams are diligently working to implement the agreements made by President Macron and Prime Minister Modi in Paris, with a strong focus on benefiting students. France has a longstanding tradition of inclusivity and diversity, and we are eager to share our rich cultural heritage and world-class education opportunities with Indian students. To all Indian students, I extend the message that France will always be your friend, and we will spare no effort to ensure that you enjoy a remarkable academic and life experience in our country.”