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French, Indian universities deepen research ties ahead of Bharat Innovates
Representatives from leading Indian institutes, including IIT Bombay and IIT Gandhinagar, met French university leaders in Paris to strengthen academic partnerships, research collaboration and innovation ties.
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Ankita Baidya - Thu, 11, Jun 2026
- 06:05 EDT
- 25
Bharat Innovates 2026 in Paris / PIB
Representatives from some of India's leading higher education institutions met with French academic leaders at Université Paris Cité this week as France and India continue to deepen cooperation in research, innovation and higher education.
The June 8 visit was organized by UDICE, an association representing France's major research-intensive universities, and brought together officials from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), government agencies and research organizations. The discussions focused on expanding academic exchanges, scientific collaboration and joint innovation initiatives between the two countries.
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The meeting comes ahead of Bharat Innovates, an international exhibition scheduled to be held in Nice on June 14 and 16 at the initiative of India's Ministry of Education. The event aims to showcase India's innovation ecosystem, emerging technologies and deep- tech capabilities to international partners and investors.
Among the institutions represented during the Paris visit was the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, one of Université Paris Cité's key institutional partners in India. Delegates also included representatives from the broader IIT and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) network, reflecting the growing role of Indian research institutions in global scientific collaboration.
The delegation was welcomed by Édouard Kaminski, President of Université Paris Cité. Presentations during the event featured Madhav R. Sulphule, First Secretary at the Embassy of India in France; Audelin Chappuis, Deputy Director for Higher Education and Research at France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; and Catherine Saracco, Secretary- General of UDICE.
Officials outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen educational and research links between France and India, a partnership that has gained momentum in recent years as both countries seek greater cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
The program also included presentations from Professor Amit Prashant, Dean of External Relations at IIT Gandhinagar; Philippe Maurin, Attaché for Scientific and Academic Cooperation at the French Embassy in India; and Louis Avigdor, Deputy Director within the Europe and International Research Cooperation Directorate of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
Participants exchanged views on the structure of higher education systems in both countries, opportunities for joint research projects and ways to facilitate greater academic mobility among students, researchers and faculty members.
The visit reflects a broader push by both governments to expand educational cooperation as part of the France- India strategic partnership. In recent years, France has increased efforts to attract Indian students and researchers, while Indian institutions have sought stronger international collaborations in areas including artificial intelligence, climate science, engineering, health sciences and deep-tech innovation.
According to organizers, the meeting served as an important platform for dialogue and reaffirmed a shared commitment to building long-term academic and scientific partnerships that can support research excellence, technological innovation and talent development in both countries.
The discussions also highlighted the growing importance of university- to- university partnerships as France and India seek to position themselves as key players in the global knowledge and innovation economy.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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