India has invited American universities and educational institutions to open off-shore campuses in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement issued after his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In their joint statement, Modi and Trump said that the leaders have “resolved to strengthen collaborations between the higher education institutions through efforts such as joint/dual degree and twinning programs, establishing joint Centers of Excellence, and setting up of offshore campuses of premier educational institutions of the U.S. in India.” The joint statement stated that “the more than 300,000 strong Indian student community contributes over $8 billion annually to the US economy and helped create a number of direct and indirect jobs,” adding that “the talent flow and movement of students, researchers, and employees, have mutually benefitted both countries”. 

No American university has announced its interest in setting up a campus in India, so far. Universities that have expressed interest are mostly from the UK and Australia.

In 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) notified regulations on setting up Indian campuses of foreign universities. This is in keeping with the National Education Policy 2020, which recommends that foreign universities be facilitated to set up operations in India and Indian universities be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries.

Earlier this month, the University of Surrey said it would open its India campus in Gujarat’s GIFT City in 2026-27, becoming the fourth university from the UK and the seventh foreign university to announce a campus in India. Deakin University, the University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University, the University of Southampton, Coventry University, and Queen’s University Belfast are the other universities that have announced their India plans.

Source: The Indian Expresss