French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his “ambitious” commitment to host 30,000 Indian students annually in France by 2030. Speaking on February 19 at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Macron described the move as a cornerstone of the newly elevated “Special Global Strategic Partnership” with India.
The target, first proposed during PM Modi’s 2023 Bastille Day visit, represents a triple increase from the current 10,000 students. To achieve this, France is deploying a “multi-front” strategy: streamlined visas, “International Classes” for non-French speakers, and a massive expansion of English-taught courses across 35 top-tier universities.
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The 30,000 Student Mandate: Beyond the Numbers
Macron emphasized that academic mobility is not just about tourism; it’s about “talent manufacturing.” The French Embassy has already introduced a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa specifically for Indian alumni. Furthermore, specialized programs called “Classes Internationales” now provide intensive French language training alongside academic prep, allowing students to bridge the language gap before starting their degrees.
Meanwhile, the focus is shifting toward research and PhD candidates. Macron promised that administrative procedures would be “streamlined and simplified” to better support long-term stays. In fact, France reported a 17% increase in Indian enrollments for the 2024-25 cycle, signaling that the momentum is already building.
IF-CAIH: A Silicon Valley for Brain Health
Coinciding with the student push, President Macron and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS New Delhi. This center is a joint venture between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and the Paris Brain Institute, with technical support from IIT Delhi.
The center will focus on:
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Early Detection: Using machine learning for MRI analysis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
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Clinical Innovation: AI-driven diagnostic tools for rural Indian clinics.
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Academic Exchange: Cross-mobility for PhD researchers in neuro-imaging.
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Sovereign AI: The Call for Trusted Systems
In a bold policy statement, Macron called for both nations to build their own “trusted AI systems.” He argued that neither India nor France should rely solely on technologies managed by a “handful of global powers.”
“We must build our own sovereign AI capacity and talent,” Macron told a gathering of young innovators. This vision includes a commitment to responsible governance, with strong protections for children and a firm stance on preserving linguistic diversity within AI models. Therefore, the Indo-French partnership is now moving from a buyer-seller relationship in defense to a co-developer relationship in critical intelligence.
Reality Check
France aims for 30,000 students, yet the current total is barely 10,000. Therefore, the goal requires a 200% growth in just four years. While “International Classes” help, the high cost of living in Paris remains a significant deterrent compared to “affordable” destinations like Germany. In fact, the 5-year alumni visa does not grant automatic work rights; it is a travel visa. Thus, students seeking permanent residency should look closely at the “Passeport Talent” rather than the standard alumni permit.
The Loopholes
The “streamlined visa” for PhDs sounds promising. In fact, many students still face months of delays due to local prefecture backlogs in France. Furthermore, while English-taught courses are expanding, the high-paying jobs in the French corporate sector still require B2-level French proficiency. Therefore, the “English-taught” path can be a “dead-end” for career seekers unless they use the provided language training aggressively.
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What This Means for You
If you are a high school or master’s student, 2026 is the “Golden Window” for France. First, check the Charpak and Eiffel Excellence scholarships; their quotas have been increased this year. Then, verify if your target university is part of the “Classes Internationales” network.
Finally, realize that the IF-CAIH at AIIMS will offer unique research fellowships for Indian tech students. You should follow the “India-France Year of Innovation 2026” website for upcoming call-for-projects. Before you apply, remember that the “5-year visa” is for graduates only; ensure your university degree is officially recognized by both governments under the revised “Mutual Recognition” agreement.
What’s Next
The “India-France Year of Innovation 2026” will feature a series of high-impact events across both countries until December. Then, the first batch of students from the Mumbai-based ESSEC-CentraleSupélec hub will graduate in early 2027. Finally, President Macron has invited PM Modi to the G7 Summit in France later this year to continue the AI and mobility dialogue.
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