By Seli Baisie
India’s commitment to international education and cultural exchange is driven by a belief that global prosperity is interconnected, according to the Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), K. Nandini Singla.
Speaking to journalists from Africa and Oceania in New Delhi, Mrs. Singla said scholarships remain one of India’s most significant tools for strengthening long-term relationships with developing countries.
While cumulatively tens of thousands of students have benefited from Indian training programmes over the decades, ICCR currently awards more than 4,000 fully funded scholarships each year, with about 90% allocated to developing countries.
A substantial proportion of these are reserved for Africa.
Under the India–Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme alone, more than 1,100 slots annually are dedicated to students from 54 African countries. At present, 3,020 African students from 45 countries are studying in India under ICCR scholarships.
Five African countries consistently rank among the top 10 recipients of ICCR scholarships worldwide.
ICCR scholarships are fully funded and cover tuition fees, monthly stipends, house rent allowance, stationery support, and international airfare.
Students also benefit from structured orientation programmes on arrival, involving universities, immigration authorities, banks, and tourism officials. Before departure, ICCR organises farewell events that include cultural performances and formal dinners.
An ICCR Alumni Portal currently connects more than 20,000 former scholars, supporting long-term academic, professional, and diplomatic engagement.
“These scholarships are not charity,” Ambassador Singla said. “They are rooted in our civilisational belief that no country can thrive at the expense of others.”
Cultural exchange beyond classrooms
Education is only one part of ICCR’s engagement. Over the past five years, the council has hosted 20 African cultural troupes in India, including a performance group from the Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2025.
During the same period, 62 Indian cultural troupes were sponsored to perform across Africa. In the 2025–26 cultural season alone, more than 50 Indian troupes have been supported to perform globally.
A philosophy-driven diplomacy
Ambassador Singla acknowledged that India, like all countries, faces its own economic and social challenges. However, she said its external engagement is shaped by philosophy as much as policy.
“Our politics, our economics, and our diplomacy are grounded in who we are as a people. We believe deeply that we are all interconnected,” she said.
The media engagement formed part of a Government of India–sponsored Media Familiarisation Visit, bringing journalists from Africa and Oceania to engage with Indian institutions, culture, and public diplomacy initiatives.
