Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) which is one of India’s preeminent educational institutions reported the break off of its Memorandum of Understanding with Inonu University in Turkey.
The JNU report that the suspension is indeed temporary which at the same time did not go into the issues which prompted this sudden step. We are told that “Due to national security issues the MoU between JNU and Inonu University of Turkey stands suspended until further notice. Also, the university put out a statement of support for the nation and its Armed Forces which include many proud JNU alumni. This comes in the midst of raised geopolitical issues in South Asia which between other things includes Pakistan, which may have played a role in the decision.
The MoU which was put in place to promote academic cooperation, student exchange programs, and joint research initiatives has been the foundation of Indo-Turkish educational relationships. But in times of strain in bilateral issues between countries such partnerships are put to the test. Although no specific reasons were given for the suspension of the MoU it does fit in with India’s trend of being more careful in which international agreements it enters into which may in some way harm national interest. These decisions play out the fine line that educational institutions must walk between putting forth global cooperation and at the same time putting first national priorities.
This development also reports the convergence of academic and geopolitical issues. In the arena of education, we see the play of regional issues which is particularly true when we have nations that are known to associate with rivals. Reports put out that Turkey has lately been improving its defence and diplomatic relationships with Pakistan which in turn has raised in Delhi the issue of possible risks to sensitive info or strategic interests. These dynamics may have had a role in JNU’s decision to break off the agreement.
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For the present, the issue has put in a state of uncertainty which many of the affected parties from the two universities are trying to sort out. That which we are seeing is students and faculty that were to be a part of designed exchange programs or joint research projects are in the dark as to what will become of those initiatives, if at all they will continue or be done away with. Also, the larger academic community is paying close attention to how these decisions will play out and what that means for the future of research and collaboration between Indian and foreign institutions.
The issue reports that which we are seeing is of international partnerships’ breaking down in a very divided world. As India transacts in complex geopolitical environments it is in the national security that it is putting its resources where other issues take a back seat. As for the time being the suspension is in question as to whether it is going to be temporary or permanent what is certain is that it brings to light the issue of the education and diplomatic dual role.
In the end the MoU’s suspension is a response to present security issues but also puts into question the fate of academic cooperation in political difficult settings. Issue of which to be open and which to be careful will still be at large for institutions like JNU going forward. .
