‘30,000 Indian students in France by 2030’: Emmanuel Macron announces visa, international classes

Macron announced that France is launching new pathways to learn French in public schools with the initiative "French for All, French for a Better Future". His nation is developing a network of Alliances françaises, with new centres to learn French. “We are creating international classes which will allow students, who do not necessarily speak French, to join our universities,” he said.

Macron also stated that France will facilitate the visa process for any former Indian students who studied in France.

“Coming to France means looking for excellence. We have now 35 universities in the QS ranking and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking,” he added.

Macron’s announcement came hours after he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks to further consolidate India-France strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy, after the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome in Jaipur.

The talks took place at a 19th-century palace after Modi and Macron held a roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to the iconic Hawa Mahal in the Pink City.

Macron was also the chief guest at Friday's Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path, the ceremonial boulevard in the heart of the national capital. Prime Minister Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last.

Macron on Friday watched India's 75th Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the nation's biggest ceremonial in the last seven decades. As the chief guest at the ceremony, Macron witnessed the grand military parade and the cultural performances along with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries.