Approval of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are now required for educational institutions to partner with China’s Confucius Centers.
The move comes after the Chinese government transferred control of the Confucius Centers to a non-profit organization. As The Economic Times reports, the existing collaboration will also be subject to the new rules.
Following the standoff along the Line of Actual Control, the education ministry two years ago began an assessment of all relations between the Confucian centers and Indian institutions.
Confucian institutions (CI) have been surrounded by allegations of control over host institutions, propaganda and even espionage in other countries. These issues have led to the closure of many CIs in the United States and Europe. Now, in a confidential circular given to higher educational institutions in early April, the control and operation of CI has been transferred from the former public institution Hanban to the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). It is a non-profit vocational education organization dedicated to worldwide Chinese language education and affiliated with the Education Government of China.
Under this new policy, Confucian centers that are classified as foreign cultural centres, and new Confucian centers will need permission from the Ministry of External Affairs. Additionally, for the maintenance or renovation of existing Confucian centers, permission is required from the Ministry of External Affairs. All higher education institutions have been directed to obtain necessary clearances.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), in a letter dated April 5, have informed institutions that FCRA certification is now required to be associated with any NGO or foundation. The letter reads, “All universities/institutions collaborating with Confucius Institutes/Hanban/CLEC or by any other name to establish Confucius Institute or any other joint venture shall be required to obtain prior approval under FCRA “
As of now, seven Indian universities are partners with the Confucius Institute. Mumbai University, Vellore Institute of Technology, OP Jindal University, Lovely Professional University, Chinese Language School in Kolkata, Bharathiar University and KR Mangalam University are among them.
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