On Tuesday, France said its goal to welcome 30,000 students from India by 2030 is aimed at fostering academic excellence, boosting cultural links, and enhancing long-lasting friendship between the two nations. Under the new programme, France plans to offer a five-year Schengen circulation visa for Indian alumni.
France announced major new initiatives to roll out the “red carpet” for Indian students and alumni during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris last month. The French embassy, giving out details of the programme, said France believes that when an Indian student spends even just a semester in France, it creates a connection that “ought to be fostered and cherished”. “That is why Indian students who hold a Master’s degree or above and have spent at least a semester studying in France are eligible for a five-year short-stay Schengen visa,” it said. This is a special provision for Indian alumni to enable them to keep close links with France and their French counterparts, it noted. “Our teams are working double time to implement the decisions taken by President (Emmanuel) Macron and Prime Minister Modi in Paris to benefit students,” French ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said.