As Canada relations cool, India turns focus to educational collaboration with Australia

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently concluded a tour of Australia, where he discussed collaboration across the entire education sector, from potential school twinning to the establishment of Australian university campuses in India and cooperative efforts to address skilling gaps.

This clearly shows a strengthening of educational ties between two nations.

Pradhan referred to educational cooperation as the "fulcrum of the India-Australia relationship" during his official visit to Australia.

The ideas about further educational collaboration with Australia come as there is a definite cooling off with Canada following recent incidents.

Alongside Australia, the UK, the US, and Canada are popular choices for Indian students. However, ongoing tensions between the Trudeau government and India have impacted student interest.

Pradhan attended the 2nd Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) meeting in Sydney on Oct 24 alongside Australian Education Minister Jason Clare MP and Skills Minister Andrew Giles MP.

While addressing, Pradhan said the two nations' collaboration would be comprehensive, encompassing everything from higher education to skill development.

Pradhan emphasized that the development of skills and education will propel both countries' prosperity and strengthen the bonds between their institutions.

Additionally, he declared that India will host the AIESC's next summit in 2025. In order to investigate possible collaborations with Indian colleges, Pradhan also got in touch with Australia's Innovative Research Universities (IRU).