Macron announces visa reforms, stronger academic ties after talks with Modi
February 18, 2026: Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said France aims to significantly increase the number of Indian students enrolling in its institutions, setting a target of 30,000 by 2030 after discussions with Narendra Modi. Speaking in Delhi, Macron highlighted the importance of deepening academic exchanges, noting that France currently welcomes around 10,000 Indian students annually. He described the new target as “largely feasible” and stressed the mutual benefit of encouraging more French students to study in India as well.
Macron acknowledged that administrative and visa reforms would be necessary to meet the ambitious goal. He said France plans to simplify its student visa processes to better align with the duration and requirements of academic programmes, particularly for long-term courses such as PhDs. Emphasising practicality, he noted that visa timelines must reflect the actual length of study to better serve students and institutions.
The French President also underscored the need to strengthen institutional partnerships and outreach efforts. He pointed out that India was not a leading source of students for France 10 to 15 years ago, but expressed confidence that closer collaboration between universities and improved administrative support could change that. The announcement signals a renewed push to expand educational cooperation between the two countries.