Beyond strategic and economic cooperation, India and France have expanded cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges, adding a broader social dimension to their bilateral relationship ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a significant milestone in recent cultural engagement was the operationalisation of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris on March 26, 2026. The centre was inaugurated with the exhibition “L’art de l’Inde d’aujourd’hui (Living Arts of India)”, featuring more than 80 artworks by 40 artists from India and other countries. The facility serves as a hub for Indian cultural outreach, offering courses in yoga, Hindi language, Indian classical music and dance, while hosting cultural programmes throughout the year.
India’s cultural presence in France has also been strengthened through festivals and community-led events. The 2023 edition of the Namaste France festival, held at La Seine Musicale in Paris from July 6 to 9, featured 18 concerts, 16 workshops and seven panel discussions, in addition to exhibitions and cultural showcases. The next edition is scheduled for 2028 to commemorate 30 years of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
Several French cities have also become venues for Indian cultural celebrations. Events such as Namaste Nantes, India Carnival at Val-de-Reuil, Desi Week in Bobigny, Happy Inde in Nice and the Ganga Sur Seine Film Festival in Paris have contributed to wider cultural engagement and greater awareness of Indian traditions and contemporary arts.
Educational cooperation has emerged as another major area of collaboration. The MEA notes that around 10,000 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education in France. Both governments have set a target of increasing this number to 30,000 by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen academic mobility and institutional partnerships.
To facilitate student mobility, France introduced a five-year validity Schengen visa in 2023 for Indian nationals who have completed at least one semester of master’s-level studies in the country. In 2024, international classes were launched in about 35 French universities and schools to help non-French-speaking students attain B2-level proficiency in French before entering degree programmes.
The Indian community in France also plays a significant role in sustaining bilateral ties. According to MEA estimates, the Indian diaspora in mainland France numbers around 119,000. In addition, the Indian-origin population in French overseas territories exceeds 350,000, including more than 300,000 people in Reunion Island and over 57,000 in Guadeloupe. More than 50 Indian community organisations are active across France, contributing to cultural, social and educational exchanges.
Recent consular measures have further supported mobility between the two countries. In February 2026, France exempted Indian nationals transiting through French territory exclusively by air from the requirement of a transit visa. Both countries have also continued implementation of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, with the Young Professionals Scheme becoming operational in 2024.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the steady expansion of cultural engagement, educational exchanges, diaspora links and mobility initiatives has helped broaden the India-France partnership beyond strategic and economic cooperation, creating stronger societal connections between the two countries.
