Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the opening of nine British university campuses across India, a decision hailed as a milestone in Indo–UK educational relations.
The announcement came during a joint press conference in Mumbai with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is in India for a two-day visit accompanied by the largest-ever trade delegation from the UK.
PM Modi emphasised that the initiative would provide Indian students access to globally recognised education while boosting India’s position as a hub for international learning.
He highlighted the partnership’s progress, noting that the University of Southampton has inaugurated its Gurugram campus and enrolled its first batch of students.
Additionally, the government is developing three more institutions in Gujarat’s GIFT City, India’s premier financial and technological hub.
PM Modi underlined that these campuses will promote high-quality learning in fields such as technology, business, and innovation, aligning with India’s vision for a knowledge-driven economy.
Prime Minister Starmer confirmed that the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have also received approval to establish campuses in India.
“The demand for top-tier higher education in India is enormous. I am pleased to announce that more British universities will soon set up campuses here, making the UK India’s leading international education partner,” PM Starmer said.
Meeting India’s Growing Education Demand
India currently hosts over 40 million university students, but an estimated 70 million higher education places will be required by 2035.
This growing demand presents vast opportunities for international collaboration.
British universities, celebrated globally for their academic excellence, will bridge this gap by enabling Indian students to earn UK degrees without leaving the country.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed delight that more Indian students will access world-class British education in India, strengthening bilateral ties while boosting both economies and supporting jobs in the UK.
The opening of British university campuses aligns with the broader objectives of the proposed UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which seeks to enhance cooperation in trade, research, and education.
The move will attract major investment in academic infrastructure and create new avenues for innovation, faculty exchange, and skill development.
Experts believe this initiative will not only deepen bilateral relations but also enable both nations to co-develop solutions in technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship—areas that are central to the future of the global economy.
As India continues to emerge as a global education destination, the entry of top British universities marks a transformative moment in the nation’s higher education landscape.
The partnership reflects both countries’ shared commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and building a future-ready workforce under the joint vision of Education for Growth, Innovation for Progress.
Also Read: India Must Take Its Rightful Place On The UN Security Council, Declares UK PM Starmer
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
