India plans its first IIT campus in France, Pralhad Joshi and Philippe Baptiste discuss

The Government of India is preparing to open its first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus on French soil. The move is being seen as a new chapter in the strengthening ties between India and France, and is expected to deepen cooperation in education and bring changes in research and technology.

The plan came up at a recent meeting between Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Philippe Baptiste, France's Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space. The two sides discussed the proposed campus in detail. The emphasis was on increasing the exchange of students and professors and building strong partnerships between educational institutions of the two countries.

It has not yet been officially clarified which IIT will open the new campus in France or which courses will be taught there. IITs have set up campuses abroad before, but the French campus would mark a strong Indian technology presence in Europe.

The meeting also took up an agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications. This would allow degrees from each country to be recognised easily in the other. Indian students studying in France and French students taking degrees in India would then face no legal or administrative hurdle in seeking jobs or further study.

According to Joshi, the two countries did not discuss only the campus. They have also planned to promote research through several government programmes. Scientists and researchers of both countries will work together under major schemes such as SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) and GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks).

The discussions are taking place against the backdrop of "Bharat Innovate 2026" and the "India-France Year of Innovation 2026". The two countries are jointly observing 2026 as the Year of Innovation.