India and UAE Chart New Course in Higher Education and Academic Cooperation

New Delhi The Government of India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to deepen educational and academic links as part of wider strategic cooperation following the visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to New Delhi on January 19, 2026. The talks focused on expanding academic collaboration, student mobility and closer integration of digital education and financial platforms between the two countries.

Officials from both sides agreed that building stronger ties between universities and research institutions will benefit students and faculty in India and the UAE. Plans include extending the reach of existing offshore campuses such as the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in the UAE. Structured student exchange programmes will provide greater opportunity for learners to study abroad and foster a knowledge exchange between the two nations.

Education leaders also discussed expanding Innovation and Tinkering Labs at schools and higher education institutions, a move aimed at encouraging hands-on learning and research. A framework to integrate India’s Digilocker academic authentication system with UAE platforms was also proposed. This integration would allow academic degrees and certificates issued in India to be recognised smoothly in the UAE, easing access to higher education and professional prospects for Indian students.

On the financial cooperation front, India and the UAE agreed to enhance digital payments connectivity by linking their respective national payment networks. The initiative is designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs for cross-border transactions. Officials said this step will support families and students with faster, more reliable remittances and payments for educational services.

The discussions, held against the backdrop of wider diplomatic engagement between the two capitals, underscore a shared commitment by India and the UAE to build stronger educational ties that reflect both economic and human capital interests.