The IT industry has taken to the global stage India's ‘soft power' and made India as a knowledge power. “Indians are looked upon by global companies for leadership. You have kindled among millions of young Indians the power of using knowledge as a passport to the future...."

Navdeep Suri, joint secretary (public diplomacy) in the ministry, also unveiled ambitious plans to connect the youth and accelerate people-to-people contacts between India and Africa.

Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari has reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to become a knowledge-based economy. The minister said Saudi universities have established partnerships with leading institutions of higher learning in the world, including those in Japan, to develop a knowledge-based society. “We want greater cooperation with Japan in this respect,” he added.