Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaks during the ‘Study in India Edu-Diplomatic Conclave 2026’ in New Delhi on Monday (March 2, 2026). | Photo credit: ANI
Addressing dignitaries and diplomats from over 50 countries at a study conclave in India, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday (March 2, 2026) pitched for international cooperation in education, stressing that India’s greatest strength lies in “its vibrant knowledge ecosystem, demographic dividend and rapidly growing economy”.
Addressing a conclave held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, Mr. Pradhan said that “education remains the most enduring bridge between societies in a world marked by uncertainty and rapid change,” adding, “India strives to build strong knowledge bridges with partner countries,” while urging foreign diplomats and experts to “work with innovation, to work with India’s approach to multidisciplinary growth and innovation education system”.
A government statement on Monday (March 2, 2026) said the conclave was being organized by the Ministry of Education to bring together ambassadors, high commissioners, representatives of diplomatic missions from more than 50 countries and ministry officials “to discuss strengthening international cooperation in higher education”.
The conclave saw thematic discussions on ‘Indian Knowledge Systems as a Global Academic Offering’, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies’ and ‘Bharat Innovates 2026’ among others.
Other topics of discussion among the delegates included topics on academic partnerships through the Government’s SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) and GIAN (Global Initiative for Academic Networking) initiatives, University Grants Commission Regulations 2023 for foreign university campuses in India, international branch campuses and “enabling frameworks for the internationalization of Indian architecture”.
“Huge Opportunities”
During his speech, the education minister said that with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a developed country by 2047, “India remains a bright spot in the global economic scene, offering enormous opportunities for learning, research, innovation and implementation”.
Discussions at the conclave “presented concrete avenues of cooperation, including student mobility, joint programmes, research partnerships and campus establishment”, the government statement said, adding that the conclave provided “a specialized platform to strengthen India’s diplomatic engagement in education by inviting students from partner countries to engage in higher education and short-term programs in India, to stimulate and promote global collaboration in campus India”.
“Through the National Education Policy 2020 and the Study in India initiative, the country is expanding global pathways for students, researchers and institutions. From artificial intelligence, biotechnology and semiconductors to sustainable energy, India is emerging as a trusted innovation partner that promotes a global South model rooted in collaboration, capacity building and shared knowledge,” said Mr. Pradhan.
Published – March 2, 2026 7:56 PM IST
