NEW DELHI: In a significant step towards strengthening global academic ties, India has invited Spanish universities to deepen collaboration in higher education as part of the Spain–India Dual Year 2026, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations. The announcement was made during the India–Spain Conference on Higher Education held in New Delhi, where education, research, and youth exchange were highlighted as key pillars of bilateral cooperation.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan extended an open invitation to leading Spanish institutions to establish campuses in India, emphasising that the country is “open, ready, and welcoming” for global academic partnerships. The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes internationalisation and cross-border educational collaboration.
A key highlight of the discussions was the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and society. The minister underscored that AI should act as a tool to enhance human judgement, creativity, and ethical responsibility, rather than replace them. He noted that democratic nations like India and Spain must lead efforts to ensure responsible and human-centric innovation in emerging technologies. The conference, held alongside the India AI Impact Summit 2026, brought together academic leaders and institutions from both countries to explore opportunities in research collaboration, student mobility, and innovation. Participation from over 30 Spanish university leaders and numerous Indian institutions reflected strong mutual interest in expanding educational partnerships.
Experts believe that this collaboration could open new opportunities for students through joint programmes, global exposure, and research initiatives, particularly in cutting-edge fields like AI. As India positions itself as a global education hub, such partnerships are expected to play a crucial role in shaping a more connected, innovation-driven academic ecosystem.
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