In a significant development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an extension in the post-study visa duration for Indian students pursuing a master’s degree in France.
He also announced that there will be an agreement between France and India about the use of UPI.
Let’s find out all the details!
Indian Students’ Visa Duration Extended
During his address to the Indian community in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant update regarding post-study visas for Indian students pursuing a master’s degree in France. Previously, Indian students were granted a two-year work visa upon completion of their studies.
However, PM Modi revealed that the duration of the post-study visa has now been extended to five years, providing students with an enhanced opportunity to pursue long-term career prospects in France.
As per the PM, “The last time I came to France, it was decided that Indian students studying in France would be given a 2-year post-study work visa. Now, it has been decided that Indian students pursuing Masters in France will be given long-term post-study visa of 5 years.”
Expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome he received from the gathering, PM Modi described his visit to France as “special,” coinciding with the country’s National Day celebrations.
He extended his congratulations to the people of France on this occasion, emphasizing the unbreakable friendship between India and France, which was exemplified by his attendance at the National Day Parade alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
Agreement Between France and India About UPI
Highlighting the progress made in digital payments, PM Modi praised India’s growth in Unified Payments Interface (UPI). He also announced an agreement between India and France for the use of UPI, which would allow Indian tourists to make payments in rupees through UPI at the iconic Eiffel Tower, further facilitating the ease of transactions for Indian travelers.
He announced that “an agreement has been made for the use of India’s UPI…It will be started from the Eiffel Tower, and now Indian tourists would be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, in Eiffel Tower.”
PM Modi further revealed that India and France have been collaborating on archaeological missions for a considerable period, expanding their scope from Chandigarh to Ladakh. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure in strengthening the bilateral ties between India and France.
