Indian leaders warm to Mandarin

Indian lead warm to Mandarin

By James Lamont and Girija Shivakumar in New Delhi
Published: September 27 2010 17:40 | Last updated: September 27 2010 17:40

India is considering introducing the teaching of Mandarin in state schools, a move that would represent a policy shift for a country that has long played down the importance of learning the Chinese language.
China is India’s largest trading partner and neighbour across the Himalayas. Yet the country’s languages are barely taught in India. According to Chinese diplomats, India responded tepidly to a proposal by Beijing to establish Confucius Institutes, which teach Chinese, in the country’s main centres of learning.

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The change is being driven by Kapil Sibal, minister of human resources development, who has tried to push for widespread reform in India’s education sector since taking over the portfolio last year.