The U.S. has greatly benefitted from the people to people ties with India, especially in the area of higher education. Over 300,000 Indian students study at universities in the U.S. contributing over $14 billion to the U.S. economy annually and significantly adding to job creation. While both President Trump and Prime Minister Modi acknowledge these contributions and have agreed to further cooperation in areas of education, especially in joint degrees/satellite campuses and centers of excellence, the number of American students who study in India for academic credit remains quite low. Even before COVID, only 3,986 American students studied in India during the 2017/2018 academic year, and this dropped by over half in the 2023/2024 academic year with 1,578 American students studying in India.[1]
The U.S. and India have made significant strides in higher educational and professional partnerships, first through the U.S.-India Educational foundation established in 1950, establishing the Fulbright Programme, and now with the opening of the first U.S. degree-granting university in Mumbai. India is scheduled to begin accepting students to this programme in the Fall of 2026.[2] Certainly, the U.S. and India should maintain educational momentum in all areas of education. One key gap is with high school/secondary exchanges.
The U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Programme was developed in 2002 to support youth exchanges (15-18 years) between the U.S. and countries of strategic importance that includes India. In 2005, the YES Programme was officially launched in India, and YES Abroad was launched in 2009, allowing high school students from the U.S. and India to participate in exchange programmes.
As of August 2025, The YES and YES Abroad Programme funded by the Department of State has now been paused due to significant funding cuts to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.[3] As U.S. government priorities and strategic interests change over time, U.S. government funding for exchange programmes often fluctuate to include a pause or the complete end of a programme. Currently, the YES and YES Abroad are the only government-funded programmes that facilitate high school exchanges between the U.S. and India, with little to no charge required of students and families. While there are existing organizations and institutions that facilitate high school exchanges, these programmes often require expenses for the semester, roundtrip airfare, travel documents, insurance, and other items, costing an upward amount of $15,000, which is quite costly for many American and Indian students without financial support.
As the U.S. looks to end funding for exchange programmes, robust youth exchanges between the U.S. and India that are comprehensive of the diversity in both countries, risk coming to an end at a time when both the U.S. and India have agreed to further enhance their trade and educational ties. [4]
The two countries are seeking an expanded partnership in areas of critical technology, energy, and defense and to maintain global leadership in AI. Both will need future leaders who are prepared to work alongside each other. Those who have participated in high school exchanges know that not only are they life-changing but improve one’s understanding of a foreign country’s culture and establishes global ties. By relying solely on higher education and professional partnerships, the U.S. and India risk bypassing its most important cohort.
The U.S. should reconsider scaling up its funding for exchange programmes especially with a strategic partner like India. The U.S. and Indian government along with non-governmental organisations, businesses and academic institutions and other stakeholders can work together to ramp up support for high school exchanges, which lay the groundwork for greater academic collaboration and people-to-people ties.
Below is a list of recommendations, not exhaustive, that the U.S. and India can jointly consider enhancing and increase exchanges between our future leaders:
1. Streamlining the U.S. and India Visa Process and Establishing a Gratis Visa Programme for Short Term Durations (Up to 1 academic year):
To better facilitate its high school exchanges, streamlining the visa application process and providing visa reciprocity will ensure robust and regular exchanges that foster cultural and intellectual exchange.
Streamlining the Visa Process
The U.S. and Indian governments should continue to prioritise the expansion of consular sections and staffing needs in the U.S. and India, to ensure efficiency of visa processing. In January 2025, the U.S. dedicated a new site for a U.S. consulate in Bengaluru. India has also expanded its consular footprint and inaugurated eight new consular application centers across the U.S.[5] Expanding consular operations and increasing staffing lubricates the flow of exchange between the two countries, by slashing processing times and supporting students that require assistance with visa applications.
Establishing a Gratis Visa Programme
The U.S. and Indian government should consider implementing a Gratis visa for high school students participating in government-approved high school exchange programmes. Under the Gratis visa programme, students traveling on government-approved high school exchanges recognized by the U.S. and Indian government would not incur a visa fee. Currently, there is no cost for the U.S issued J-1 visa fee for foreign students traveling on U.S. Department of State approved programmes. However, there is a fee of $100 for U.S. nationals to obtain an ‘S’ (student) visa. In September 2025, India and Germany established a gratis visa programme for students for short term educational programmes.[6] A similar one can be instituted between the U.S. and India. This will ensure that students from various backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in exchange programmes and are not saddled with the financial burden of travel expenses.
2. U.S. and Indian Businesses to Invest in Existing Organisations that Facilitate U.S.-India High School Exchanges and to Establish New Public and Private Partnerships:
U.S. funding for exchange programmemes which include high school exchanges, have been under fire for quite some time. The State Department and partner organisations in the past have advocated and requested that Congress maintain funding for exchange programmes. U.S.-funded programmes have supported exchanges that promote the sharing of culture and ideals, scientific and technological research, and trade relations. With the only government-funded U.S.-India high school exchange programme at the risk of being discontinued, U.S. and Indian businesses can play an integral part in ensuring that U.S.-India high school exchanges continue by providing financing and scholarships for U.S. and Indian high school students. Below are recommendations that can be taken up in the short term and considered for the longevity of the partnership.
Invest in Existing Organisations
The Department of State works with a consortium of non-profits that support the facilitation of American and Indian students studying abroad. Organisations like AFS-US and AFS India in partnership with State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recruit and support students. As government approved partners with over 20 years of experience, AFS-US and AFS India are best suited to facilitate U.S.-India high school exchanges. NGOs like the Rotary Club also have experience in such school-level exchanges worldwide, and work with a variety of donors.
U.S. and Indian businesses should consider donating or partnering with these organisations to fill in government funding gaps, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have access to scholarships that enable such exchanges.
3. Education Wings in Indian Missions in the U.S. Should Partner with Organisations to Promote High School Students Studying in India:
American students participate in exchange programmes in India on a lower scale in comparison to their Indian peers that participate in programmes in the U.S. To increase the number of American high school students who participate in high school exchange programmes in India, the Education wing at Indian Missions in the U.S. in collaboration with organisations and institutions that partner with the State Department to administer U.S.-India exchanges, should consider the following
1. Establish partnerships with local and state government and schools in the area that the respective mission supports.
2. Attend High School Fairs and Seminars to provide information to students about studying in India and how they might apply.
3. Use social media and websites to share programme information and deadlines for students to apply for programmes. The Embassy of India in Washington, DC site currently has a tab for U.S. students studying in India. Adding a tab for U.S. government sponsored programmes such as YES Abroad would serve as another avenue to spread awareness.
Nina Robinson is a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) International Affairs Fellow, India.
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References:
[1] Open Doors Data. “Student Mobility Facts.” Open Doors Data. https://opendoorsdata.org/fact_sheets/student-mobility/
[2] Illinois Institute of Technology. “Illinois Tech First U.S. University Approved to Establish Campus in India.” IIT News, 2025. https://www.iit.edu/Illinois-Tech-First-US-University-Approved-to-Establish-Campus-in-India
[3] Collins, Susan M. and Cory Booker. Letter to the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of State Regarding ECA FY25 Cuts from Senators Collins and Booker. September 25, 2025. https://www.booker.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/collins-booker_letter_to_omb__state_re_eca_fy25_cuts_09252025.pdf
[4] The White House. “United States–India Joint Leaders’ Statement.” Briefings and Statements, February 25, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/02/united-states-india-joint-leaders-statement/
[5] Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. “Joint Statement on Enhanced Partnership Between India and the United States.” Press Release, Indian Embassy USA, 2025. https://indianembassyusa.gov.in/News?id=250073
[6] Ministry of External Affairs (India). “Visit of HE Mr Johann Wadephul, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany to India, September 01–03 2025.” Press Releases, Government of India, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/40090/Visit+of+HE+Mr+Johann+Wadephul+Foreign+Minister+of+Federal+Republic+of+Germany+to+India+September+0103+2025