A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications was signed between James Bowler, Permanent Secretary, Department of International Trade of United Kingdom (UK) and K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education, Government of India.

In May 2021, during the Virtual Summit between Prime Ministers of India and the UK, a comprehensive Roadmap to 2030 was adopted for enhanced bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Both sides also agreed to a new Enhanced Trade Partnership. Education forms an important pillar of this roadmap. In light of India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), the two sides agreed to expand education by agreeing to mutual recognition of academic qualifications.

This is a landmark moment in bilateral educational relations as the signing of this MoU will enable smoother student mobility between the two countries and help in developing stronger institutional collaboration and widen the scope of academic and research collaboration between the higher education institutions of both countries.