French President Emmanuel Macron on January 26 announced that they target to welcome 30,000 Indian students in their country by 2030. Macron is on a two-day visit to India and is the chief guest at the Republic Day 2024.

“30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. It’s a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen,” he announced on the social media platform ‘X’.

30,000 Indian students in France in 2030.

It’s a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen.

Here’s how: pic.twitter.com/QDpOl4ujWb

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

He further said that the way to achieve this ambitious target is by launching a slew of initiatives. “French for All, French for a Better Future” to teach French in public schools. “We are developing the network of Alliances françaises, with new centers to learn French. We are creating international classes which will allow students, who do not necessarily speak French, to join our universities,” he tweeted.

He further added that France will facilitate the “visa process for any former Indian student who studied in France.”

“Coming to France means looking for excellence. We have now 35 universities in the QS ranking, and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking. India and France have so much to do together, now and in the future. We will achieve this with you, our young people, in exchange and cooperation, in trust, in friendship!” Macron tweeted.

This announcement was made last year by the Ambassador of France to India H.E Emmanuel Lenain. He told indianexpress.com that the number of students going to France has increased steadily by approximately 25 per cent each year after the Covid-19 restrictions were eased.