Harvard, NYU may come to India: Sergio Gor

US envoy Sergio Gor indicated that top American universities like Harvard, NYU, and Purdue are keen on establishing their presence in India due to the rising demand from Indian students to pursue education in the United States. Gor, who spoke at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, revealed that he has been discussing with MIT's provost and aims to bring some leading American universities to India within a year. This includes heavyweight institutions such as Harvard, NYU, and Purdue.

Gor emphasized that the Trump administration's visa screening measures are not specifically directed at India, but rather aimed at ensuring a secure border and identifying those entering the country. He explained that US authorities scrutinize online presence, including social media interactions, when processing visa applications. Any posts supporting violence against America, for instance, could jeopardize a visa application.

Gor also addressed the issue of visa overstays, highlighting that this is a current priority for the administration, as millions of individuals used to remain beyond their authorized stay in the US during previous administrations. Additionally, he touted the strong potential for collaboration between US tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Micron, and Indian talent, underscoring that such partnerships are ongoing.

The envoy noted the unmatched people-to-people ties between India and the US, yet acknowledged the challenge of admitting everyone due to the overwhelming demand. According to a Pew Foundation poll, over 900 million individuals worldwide expressed a desire to relocate to the US. Gor pointed out that it would be impractical for the US to accommodate such a vast number of applicants within a year, stressing that the nation seeks individuals who would positively contribute to the US and the India-US relationship.