Amid tensions with Canada, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasises India-Australia education cooperation

New Delhi: Indicating a clear deepening of educational ties, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan just wrapped up an Australia tour which saw him discuss collaboration across the entire education sector, from possible twinning of schools to setting up Australian varsity campuses in India and joint efforts at addressing skilling gaps.

Pradhan, while on an official tour to Australia last week, termed cooperation in education as the "fulcrum of India-Australia relationship".

The discussions for greater educational collaboration with Australia comes even as there is a clear cooling off with Canada amid recent controversies.


Canada is another major destination for Indian students besides Australia, UK and the US but student interest has been impacted by the simmering uncertainties in the relationship under the Trudeau government.

Participating at the 2nd Australia-India Education and Skills Council meeting in Sydney, Pradhan said the partnership between the two countries would be a holistic one, covering school to skilling and higher education.