Vinay Kwatra Urges Two-Way Academic Exchange With US

PICTURE CREDIT-global.lehigh.edu

India-West Staff Reporter

BETHLEHEM, PA- India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, outlined key priorities shaping the India–U.S. partnership during a visit to Lehigh University, where he emphasized education, technology, and trust as central drivers of bilateral cooperation.

More than 130 students, faculty, and community attendees joined a fireside conversation between Kwatra and former U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma, a Lehigh alumnus. The event was part of the Ambassadorial Speaker Series hosted by the Lehigh University–United Nations Partnership.

Kwatra described India as a country propelled by ambition and rapid transformation. “When you land in India, the sights, smells, sounds, everything is overwhelming, but you will find a country full of robust energy,” he told Verma. “There is a hunger, there is a drive, there is an ambition to really position India among the top countries in the world.”

Underscoring the importance of academic exchange, Kwatra noted that nearly 400,000 Indian students are currently studying in the United States and encouraged more Americans to pursue opportunities in India. “We would welcome you with open arms,” he said, inviting U.S. students and researchers to consider India for study and fellowship programs.

Lehigh’s engagement with India spans nearly seven decades. India remains one of its top countries of origin for international students, and the university maintains active partnerships with Ashoka University, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, OP Jindal Global University, and others. These collaborations support student exchanges, research initiatives, and programs such as the Global Social Impact Fellowship and Humanitarian Design and Social Enterprise.

Kwatra highlighted deepening cooperation in defense, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and energy. He described the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” strengthening ties between the two nations and reiterated India’s goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.