Modi, Trump Invite U.S. Universities to Open Campuses in India; Strengthen Joint, Dual Degree Programs

Both leaders recognized the significant contribution of over 300,000 Indian students in the U.S., who generate more than $8 billion annually for the American economy and support job creation.

The President of the United States of America, The Donald J. Trump hosted the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi for an Official Working Visit in Washington, DC.

Washington, D.C., February 13, 2025 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald J. Trump have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening educational and research collaborations, with new initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, talent mobility, and academic partnerships. As part of this effort, India has invited U.S. universities to establish offshore campuses, while both nations pledged to expand joint and dual degree programs.

Boost to Academic Collaborations

Both leaders recognized the significant contribution of over 300,000 Indian students in the U.S., who generate more than $8 billion annually for the American economy and support job creation. Acknowledging the mutual benefits of academic and research exchanges, Modi and Trump pledged to enhance collaborations between higher education institutions through joint and dual degree programs, twinning initiatives, and the establishment of offshore campuses of premier U.S. universities in India.

New Frameworks for Student and Professional Mobility

Highlighting the need for a globally adaptive workforce, the leaders committed to streamlining legal pathways for the mobility of students and professionals. They underscored the necessity of developing secure and efficient frameworks to facilitate cross-border movement of talent in both countries.

Launch of INDUS Innovation Bridge

A key highlight of the discussions was the launch of INDUS Innovation, a platform designed to advance U.S.-India academic and industrial partnerships. Modeled after the successful INDUS-X initiative, this program will focus on fostering investments and collaborations in space, energy, and emerging technologies to sustain leadership in global innovation. The leaders also reiterated their commitment to INDUS-X, which enables U.S. and Indian defense firms, investors, and universities to collaborate on military technology development, with a summit planned for 2025.

Research Collaboration in Emerging Technologies

Further strengthening scientific ties, the two nations announced a new partnership between the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and India’s Anusandhan National Research Foundation. This initiative will drive joint research in critical areas, including semiconductors, connected vehicles, machine learning, next-generation telecommunications, intelligent transportation systems, and future biomanufacturing. The move builds on existing collaborations between the NSF and Indian scientific agencies to advance technological innovation.

With these initiatives, India and the U.S. are set to elevate their educational and research engagements, shaping a workforce equipped for the challenges of the 21st century and reinforcing their leadership in global innovation.

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