The French president Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (February 18) announced a free visa free facility for Indian travellers and said that the French government
will welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030 strengthening educational ties with India. The announcement was made official at an event hosted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. Macron said France currently receives around 10,000 Indian students every year, but assured that both countries have decided to increase this number to 30,000 by 2030. He also added that France will ease its visa process for Indian students, and assured that long-term visas will match the length of academic courses, including PhD programmes. The French president said that the European country plans to make its processes smoother and more practical so that they better meet the expectations of students and educational institutions. He noted that stronger institutional connections would be built to improve student outreach and recruitment. Reflecting on the past, he mentioned that 10–15 years ago, India was not the leading source of students for France. He emphasised that both universities and high schools should step up their efforts, while the French government would also enhance administrative support to make things easier. He also highlighted the expanding cooperation between India and France in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). He said both countries aim to develop their own AI models and reduce dependence on major global powers like the United States and China. He also said that boosting artificial intelligence (AI) requires strong investment in computing infrastructure, skilled talent, and financial resources to build more robust AI systems. Macron, along with with the Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, inaugurated the Indo-French Campus on AI in Global Health at AIIMS. The initiative aims to advance research and drive innovation in AI-powered healthcare solutions. He also appreciated the ongoing AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, noting that the responsible and ethical use of AI can contribute significantly to disease detection, support the energy transition, and enhance overall productivity. Additionally, this step reflects France’s clear intent to make itself a more student-friendly and attractive destination for Indian learners, while also making the travel between the two countries easier and more convenient.
