Russia Seeks More Indian Students, Stronger Education Ties

New Delhi: Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Thursday called for strengthening education ties with India and urged more Indian students to pursue higher studies in Russia. He was speaking at the India-Russia Education Summit in New Delhi, attended by representatives of over 30 Russian universities.

Highlighting Russia’s academic strengths, Alipov said, “Russia’s long-standing academic traditions and accessible, high-quality education have made its universities a preferred destination for Indian students for generations. Thousands of Indian graduates who studied in Russia have gone on to contribute across various sectors in India, serving as enduring bridges of friendship between the two countries. Russia’s education system is known for its strong scientific schools, rigorous academic standards, practical training, and expertise in fields such as engineering, medicine, artificial intelligence, nuclear science, industrial innovation, and advanced research."

He said Russia currently hosts around 300,000 international students, including nearly 40,000 from India, and aims to increase the number to 500,000 by 2030.

“The continued growth of academic exchanges, joint research initiatives, and university partnerships between Russia and India is creating new opportunities for students and scholars while fostering innovation and addressing global challenges,” he said.

The remarks come amid ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and ahead of the proposed visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India for the BRICS Summit in September.

The event focused on expanding academic collaboration and student mobility between the two countries.