February 8, 2008

In India: No Foreign Colleges Need Apply

Politics stall a proposal to allow overseas universities to set up campuses

By SHAILAJA NEELAKANTAN

Since it began market reforms, in the early 1990s, India has rolled out the welcome mat for many American corporations. Coca-Cola, General Motors, and Citibank all have operations here, helping push foreign direct investment to nearly $16-billion last year. But while foreign soft drinks, cars, and banks are welcomed, foreign universities are not.

Despite overtures from dozens of American colleges, the Indian government has yet to allow any foreign institution to create a legally