NEW DELHI, 01 January 2022, (TON): Education being a big part of India-US relationship, both sides are exploring new ways of bringing together institutions that could build the next generation for India’s knowledge economy.

While the strategic and economic areas of the bilateral ties grab headlines, the real ballast is provided by the robust and growing people-to-people relationship, powered largely by the fact that India is the second-highest country of origin of foreign students in the US.

According to Open Doors figures for 2018-19, nearly 2 lakh Indian students, mostly in STEM areas, have been pursuing undergraduate, graduate, non-degree, and optional practical training programs in the US.

Speaking to the TOI, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian ambassador to the US, said, “We have been organising regular interactions to bring together educators and experts on both sides. The New Education Policy announced by the government in 2020 offers huge possibilities.