3 min readNew DelhiJan 3, 2026 10:50 AM IST
First published on: Jan 2, 2026 at 02:59 PM IST
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday launched the IITM Global Research Foundation, a major international initiative of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), aimed at positioning the institute as the world’s first multinational university.
The initiative aims to expand IIT Madras’ global presence by enabling international research, innovation, startup engagement, and academic collaborations, and by establishing the institute as a globally networked hub for education and entrepreneurship, as per a statement by IIT-Madras.
Dr Jaishankar also inaugurated the ‘IITM Festival Fortnight’, which includes the institute’s Open House — allowing public access to laboratories and innovation centres — as well as Shaastra, IIT Madras’ annual technical festival (January 2–6, 2026), and Saarang, its cultural festival (January 8–12, 2026).
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During the interaction, responding to a question on how India can avoid its intentions being misread globally, Dr Jaishankar said clear and honest communication was key. “If you communicate well, clearly and honestly, other countries respect it and accept it,” he said, adding that India’s civilisational confidence and democratic choices continue to shape its global partnerships, including with the West.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said India’s foreign policy focuses on leveraging domestic strengths through international engagement. “Countries have grown by growing at home and then engaging abroad, leveraging the international environment in a way contributing to it and gaining from it. When we say ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the term is that we have never considered the world as an inimical or hostile place from which we have to defensively protect ourselves. We have limitations on our resources. With limited resources, how do you have maximum impact? That is actually the problem that has to be solved. What we try to do in Indian Foreign Policy and diplomacy today is solve that problem. We try to do that partly using our competitiveness and strengths and leveraging other institutions and possibilities.”
As part of the IITM Global rollout, the institute has signed multiple memoranda of understanding with international partners, including three in the US, one in the UK, three in Germany, three in Dubai, three in the Asia-Pacific region, and six under the India-for-Global initiative. These collaborations focus on joint research, industry partnerships, startup support and global talent exchange.
Explaining the vision, Prof Kamakoti said IITM Global will operate through four pillars: technology transfer to global markets, joint international research projects, overseas business opportunities for IIT Madras startups, and attracting foreign investment into the institute’s innovation ecosystem. Initial centres will be set up in the US, Dubai, Malaysia and Germany, with plans for expansion.
Designed as a plug-and-play global platform, IITM Global aims to connect researchers, startups and industry partners with international markets, capital and research opportunities, strengthening IIT Madras’ role in global innovation and societal impact.
The launch was attended by IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti, Dean (Global Engagement) Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, IITM Global Research Foundation CEO Madhav Narayan, along with faculty members, researchers, students and other stakeholders.
Dr. S. Jaishankar also inaugurated ‘IITM Festival Fortnight,’ which includes the Open House, through which the public is given access to IITMs’ labs and innovation centres. (Image: IIT-M) 
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