France wants to welcome 30,000 Indian students in 2025: ambassador Thierry Mathou

In conversation with ANI, the French ambassador to India shared that France It hopes to host 30,000 Indian students by 2025. He also added that one of the most important objectives for the European country is to develop people-to-people exchanges. It is not the first time that France shares its willingness to welcome Indian students. During his visit to India in January, President Macron announced this. However, while interacting with Indian students, Macron announced France’s target of welcoming 30,000 students from India by 2030. A five-year Schengen circulation visa for Indian alumni was also announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in July 2023.

Explaining France’s plan to welcome Indian students who want study abroadFrench envoy Thierry Mathou told ANI: “Currently, one of the most important objectives of our relationship is to develop people-to-people exchanges. President Macron set the goal when he arrived in early January: we want to host 30,000 Indian students in France. next year. The door is open for Indian students: we have English courses and international preparations for those who want to invest in French. A major educational fair will be held in mid-October to present all the opportunities.

When asked about economic ties with India, Mathou praised India’s growth story and said: “Of course, we want to continue developing our economic ties with India, considering the importance of its growth. We also see it as a challenge, as India is only our fourth trading partner in Asia and we want to improve that position.

“I am sure that our investments in India will expand even further: in the fashion and luxury sector, French companies continue to develop their links with the Mumbai ecosystem, with the help of fantastic Indian artists, such as the one formed by Chanakya Craft “In the food and agriculture production sector, several French companies are investing in Meghalaya. “I recently met the management of the Carrefour group, which decided to return to India with its partner Apparel Group to develop its retail activities,” he added.

When asked about trade ties between France and India, the ambassador said: “Our bilateral trade is almost balanced and India is now France’s 12th customer, which promises great prospects for the future. Indo-French exports and imports combined reached 16 billion euros in 2023 and 2024, in all likelihood, will also be an excellent year, since in the first half French exports to India recorded an outstanding performance, with an increase of 60 percent, compared to the same period in 2023. “One of the key factors behind this strong performance is India’s purchase of civil aircraft. But the depth of our economic relationship cannot be summed up solely in our bilateral trade, as it is very rich in long-standing industrial partnerships.” He further added that France makes an important contribution to the “Make in India” policy.

Indian students get five-year post-study work visa in France

In July this year, Prime Minister Modi announced that Indian students pursuing master’s degrees in France will be provided with a five-year long-term postgraduate visa. It should be noted that previously students received a two-year work visa. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Modi during his address to the Indian community at LA Seine Musicale in Paris.

(With contributions from ANI)