PM Modi invites Leading German Universities to Open Campuses in India

India and Germany gave paramount importance to people-to-people ties in their strategic partnership as they announced a major enhancement of joint activities in the field of higher education, skilling, mobility of students, and cultural exchanges.

Indian students registering to study in Germany have increased substantially, which was highlighted during a discussion between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a dialogue session held in Ahmedabad. There has also been steady growth in joint degree courses offered by colleges of both countries.

Both leaders also praised the establishment of the Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education, whose target is to promote more academic engagements and foster institutional links between the two nations at the institutional level. Top German universities were invited to set up bases in India as part of the National Education Policy, clearly illustrating the intent of India to attract world-class universities to the country.

In addition, both sides have noted the increasing linkages between German technical universities and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), pointing out that such linkages have been critical drivers for enhanced skill-building and innovation.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the Chancellor of Germany, Merz, for the announcement regarding the visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders. This is a major push towards increased people-to-people exchanges. The Prime Minister also thanked the German government for supporting the India-German Sustainable Development Working Group.

In keeping with the aims of encouraging education, employment, and integration, the two countries reaffirmed the commitment to the enhancement of the teaching of the German language in India, including at the secondary and higher levels of education.

Within the broader framework of the India and Germany Strategic Partnership, both leaders agreed to continue enhancing student, researcher, professionals, artists, and tourist exchange programs to promote their education and cultural ties.