Trump and Modi Push for More US University Campuses in India

By Jace February 20, 2025
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In a significant move to strengthen US-India educational ties, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have backed the expansion of offshore campuses of US universities in India. The announcement came during their first meeting since Trump’s return to the White House, where both leaders stressed the importance of academic collaboration to drive innovation and workforce development.

A joint statement from the leaders confirmed their commitment to establishing joint centres of excellence, dual-degree programmes, and twinning initiatives between higher education institutions. The move is expected to provide Indian students with greater access to US-style education while fostering cross-border research partnerships.

Indian Students Drive US Economy

Both leaders acknowledged the significant contributions of Indian students to the US economy, noting that the community of over 300,000 Indian students contributes more than $8 billion annually. In light of this, the leaders pledged to streamline legal avenues for student mobility while also tackling illegal immigration and human trafficking.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of recent US deportations of illegal Indian migrants, with further actions expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, India’s financial watchdog has reported that over 260 educational institutions are under investigation for alleged involvement in illegal immigration schemes via Canadian study visas.

New Research and Technology Partnerships

Beyond education, Trump and Modi announced a new partnership between the US National Science Foundation and the Indian Anusandhan National Research Foundation. The collaboration will focus on critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space research.

Additionally, the leaders launched the US-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative, aiming to deepen cooperation in defence, energy, and national security.

Despite trade tensions and Trump’s previous threats of reciprocal tariffs on India, both countries committed to doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. This partnership underscores the growing economic and educational collaboration between India and the United States, paving the way for a stronger global knowledge economy.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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