core sector communique

U.S., India Enhance Ties at Education Summit

By MacKenzie C. Babb

Staff Writer

 

Washington - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced several initiatives to enhance U.S. academic ties with India, which she says will significantly benefit both countries.

 

Clinton spoke at the U.S.-India Higher Education Summit in Washington, which brought together more than 300 leaders in education, government and the private sector to discuss strengthening educational ties through academic, research and work exchanges. Clinton co-chaired the summit along with Indian Minister of Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal at Georgetown University October 13.

 

The secretary called educational collaboration "a driving force in our strategic dialogue" with India, and said the summit was the result of talks between President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The United States and India have a strong history of academic exchanges, Clinton said, with more than 100,000 students from India pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in the United States in 2010. But the opportunities for collaboration are even greater, she said.

 

The secretary said the United States government is fully committed to enhancing this cooperation. She highlighted the $10 million Obama-Singh initiative to increase university partnership and junior faculty development.

 

She said the Fulbright Nehru program has tripled in size during the past three years, and that the United States now conducts more faculty exchanges with India than with any other country in the Fulbright program.

Clinton said through the new Passport to India program, the U.S. government is working with the private sector to help American students experience India through internships and service projects. Additionally, she said, the U.S. government has expanded its EducationUSA advising services for Indian students and their families to provide information about opportunities to study in the United States.

 

"We're also encouraging state and local officials in our country to engage with their counterparts in India to support educational cooperation and connection at every level," Clinton said. While the federal government will continue to facilitate dialogue, she added, it is up to citizens of both countries to develop direct connections.

 

"Professors and teachers, researchers, business leaders - you will ultimately determine the success of these efforts," Clinton said.

 

She said the United States and India share values rooted in democracy and that democracy depends on an educated citizenry. Clinton commended India, the largest democracy in the world, for working to provide greater benefits for its citizens through education.

 

The secretary's opening remarks were followed by Sibal, who addressed the summit ahead of a round-table discussion with high-level U.S. and Indian officials, a seminar on sustainable educational partnerships and remarks by top government and private-sector leaders from both countries.

 

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)