Shanghai, Oct 14, 2025 — In a significant milestone for India’s cultural diplomacy, the Indian Embassy in China has celebrated the growing influence of Hindi language education in Shanghai. The event marked a major cultural achievement as Hindi instruction continues to expand from university classrooms to international schools in the region.
India’s Ambassador to China, Pradeep Kumar Rawat, along with Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, honoured educator Bhavya Mehta for her pioneering role in introducing Hindi at the Britannica International Senior Secondary School, one of the city’s reputed British-curriculum institutions. This recognition highlights a growing interest in Indian languages and culture among younger students in China’s international school network.
The initiative is particularly meaningful as Bhavya Mehta is the daughter of Kirti Chakra awardee Brigadier Ravi Datt Mehta, a distinguished officer remembered for his service and sacrifice.
With Hindi now being taught at the school level, it complements existing academic programmes in major Chinese universities such as Fudan University, Tsinghua University, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), and Peking University, where Hindi is already offered at the higher education level. This expansion represents a deepening of cultural ties and educational exchange between India and China.
During the visit, Ambassador Rawat and CG Mathur also engaged with senior Chinese scholars at the Shanghai Institutes of International Studies (SIIS). Discussions focused on global governance, multilateral reform, and India’s evolving role in promoting a more balanced and equitable world order. These exchanges reflect the continued dialogue between Indian and Chinese think tanks on shared global challenges.
As part of his outreach efforts, the Ambassador also met with leaders from the Indian community and business sector during a luncheon hosted by the Indian Association for Shanghai. The interaction brought together Indian professionals working in leading global companies based in the Eastern Shanghai region. Topics of discussion included community welfare, trade, cultural exchange, and India’s expanding presence in global business hubs.
The event showcased the vital role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening people-to-people ties, promoting cultural understanding, and building long-term partnerships with the host country.
As India’s global cultural presence continues to grow, the expansion of Hindi education in schools abroad marks not only a linguistic achievement but also a soft power success — fostering deeper bonds between nations through language, learning, and shared values.