Senator J. William Fulbright once described the cultural exchange programs bearing his nameas "probably the most important and potentially rewarding of our foreign-policy activities,"emphasizing their role in fostering world peace and order. His words resonate strongly today,in an era where traditional diplomacy often seems intensely competitive.
Fulbright’s visionunderscores the vital need for nations to come together—to share knowledge, expresspassions, and most importantly, to listen and learn from one another in the pursuit of mutualunderstanding
Since the inaugural agreement in February 1950, signed by Indian Prime Minister JawaharlalNehru and U.S. Ambassador Loy W. Henderson, the Fulbright Program in India hasfacilitated academic and cultural exchanges for approximately 21,000 citizens of India andthe United States. This enduring partnership has become a cornerstone of U.S.-Indiarelations
The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), which administers these programs,has undergone significant growth and transformation since its inception. In 2008, theorganization was renamed from the United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI)to USIEF, reflecting the Indian government’s commitment to becoming an equal partner infunding and governance, and truly embodying the binational essence of the program
Under this renewed partnership, the scope of exchanges has expanded, tripling the size of theprogram and fostering the creation of innovative initiatives. Today, India boasts the largestFulbright Scholar Program in the world, as well as one of the largest student researchprograms globally.
As Executive Director of USIEF, I have the privilege of leading a team of 50 dedicatedprofessionals in Delhi and across our regional offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, andChennai. Our collaborative efforts with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the AmericanEmbassy, and numerous academic institutions ensure that the Fulbright Program continues tothrive. Amid the daily responsibilities—overseeing operations, participating in interviewpanels, visiting institutions, and maintaining the historic Fulbright House—it’s easy tobecome immersed in the tasks at hand.
Yet, I remain deeply grateful for the tireless contributions of the USIEF staff, whosecommitment and intelligence drive the success of our programs. The support of our alumni—our most passionate advocates—further amplifies our impact. Their enthusiasm for sharingknowledge and experience is contagious, spreading the benefits of cultural exchange far andwide. Each year, I am inspired by the talent and humanity of the students and scholars whoparticipate in these programs. They consistently exceed expectations, enriching not only theirown lives but also the lives of those they touch during their time abroad.
As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in India, we reaffirm ourdedication to fulfilling Senator Fulbright’s goal of bringing "a little more knowledge, a littlemore reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs." Together, we continue toadvance the possibility that nations will learn to live in peace and friendship.
Executive Director, USIEF
