Vice President Calls for Caution on Foreign Universities Setting Up Campuses in India

Warns of potential risks; emphasizes need for ‘filtration’ amid growing scrutiny of global partnerships

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has cautioned against the uncritical entry of foreign universities into India, urging the need for rigorous “filtration” and deeper strategic assessment before allowing such institutions to establish campuses in the country. His remarks, made during an address to academic and industry representatives, come at a time when several Indian institutions have paused or terminated collaborations with foreign partners in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.

“We need to bridge the divide between the East and the West. Without such a dialogue, a distorted version of the Orient is portrayed and perpetrated. Foreign universities coming to this country is something which requires filtration,” the Vice President said. Stressing the need for “deep thinking,” he warned that allowing such institutions unchecked entry could lead to situations “that may turn out to be worrisome.”

The Vice President linked academic collaboration to national interests, posing a rhetorical question: “Can we afford to empower countries that are inimical to our interests?” He called for a broader sense of economic nationalism and urged stakeholders to evaluate partnerships through the lens of national security and long-term strategic impact. “Everything has to be reckoned on the fulcrum of deep commitment, unflinching commitment, dedication to nationalism,” he asserted.

While his remarks did not name any specific country or institution, they echo a rising sentiment within India's academic circles. In recent weeks, several prominent universities and institutes in India have suspended academic collaborations with Turkish institutions in response to geopolitical tensions and ideological divergences. Among the institutions that have reviewed or paused ties are Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur.

The Vice President’s address reinforces a growing call within the education and policy ecosystem to critically assess the geopolitical alignment, strategic intent, and academic neutrality of foreign institutions seeking a presence in India. His remarks are also particularly significant in light of ongoing discussions around foreign university campuses under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisions selected global institutions operating in India to enhance global academic integration.

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