Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi met French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste during the latter’s visit to India, with discussions focused on expanding cooperation in education, research and innovation.
A key proposal discussed during the meeting was the establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Nice, France. Details regarding the specific IIT, academic programmes, timeline and approvals for the proposed campus have not yet been announced.
The talks also covered greater mobility for students, faculty and researchers between India and France. Both sides discussed strengthening institutional partnerships, joint research and opportunities for collaborative academic programmes and exchanges.
The ministers also discussed advancing the revised Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Agreement, which could support greater recognition of academic qualifications between the two countries.
Existing collaborations under initiatives such as SPARC and GIAN, along with the Franco-Indian Campus in Life Sciences & Health, were also discussed as areas for further cooperation.
The proposed Nice campus comes amid wider efforts to expand the international presence of Indian higher education institutions. IIT Madras has an overseas campus in Zanzibar, while IIT Delhi operates a campus in Abu Dhabi.
The discussions took place during the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, with both countries seeking stronger academic, research and innovation partnerships
