The Motwani Jadeja Foundation has made a transformative philanthropic contribution to the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), aimed at fostering deeper ties between the U.S. and India.

This generous donation will support the creation of innovative programs at UC San Diego’s 21st Century India Center, which is part of the School of Global Policy and Strategy. These initiatives will include the Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship, the Motwani Jadeja India Leadership Program, and the India Courses Hub—all designed to expand education on India to global audiences, enhance cross-cultural collaboration, and support impactful U.S.-India partnerships.

Expanding U.S.-India Research and Education

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation’s gift will help further establish the 21st Century India Center as a leading hub for research, education, and policy dialogue on India. UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla expressed his gratitude for the support, emphasizing that the center is home to one of the most influential groups of India policy experts in the U.S. He stated, “This generous gift will allow the center to significantly expand its research and educational impact, benefiting not only the U.S. and India but millions of people around the world.”

The Foundation’s founder, Asha Jadeja, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, noted the importance of strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and India. She said, “In this unprecedented era of collaboration between the world’s two largest democracies, new opportunities for growth and innovation are emerging in areas such as technology, defense, climate change, and development. Our partnership with UC San Diego is a critical step in fostering a vibrant corridor of academic and policy activity that will influence bilateral policies for years to come.”

Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship

One of the central elements of this gift is the creation of the Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship, a competitive program for rising leaders in the U.S. government, military, private sector, and media. The fellowship will offer participants the opportunity to spend four weeks in India, embedded within a university or think tank, where they will collaborate with Indian counterparts, exchange ideas, and gain insights into the latest developments in their respective fields. Fellows will also work on a project with mentorship from both UC San Diego and Indian institution experts, building cross-country networks and collaborations.

Motwani Jadeja India Leadership Program

The Motwani Jadeja India Leadership Program is an executive education initiative designed to strengthen the understanding of India among key U.S. decision-makers. This program, developed by UC San Diego faculty, will focus on advancing U.S.-India relations in critical areas such as security, trade, technology, and climate change. Participants, including government officials, military officers, private sector leaders, and journalists, will engage in a series of virtual and in-person sessions. Through a combination of academic learning, cultural immersion, and peer interactions with Indian leaders, this program will equip participants with the knowledge and insights necessary to drive progress in U.S.-India collaboration.

India Courses Hub

In addition to the fellowship and leadership programs, the Motwani Jadeja Foundation’s support will enable the creation of the India Courses Hub at UC San Diego. This initiative will focus on developing and expanding educational offerings related to India, including specialized cross-disciplinary courses, India-U.S. economic policy, and other subjects critical to understanding India’s role in global affairs. The hub will also support the creation of massive open online courses (MOOCs), ensuring that high-quality content is accessible to a global audience.

A Lasting Impact on U.S.-India Relations

Caroline Freund, Dean of the School of Global Policy and Strategy, commented, “This extraordinary gift will help train a new generation of thought leaders who will contribute to the deepening of the U.S.-India relationship. The relationship between our two countries is one of the most significant globally, and these initiatives will contribute to mutual understanding and progress in security, technology, climate change, and democratic values.”

Achyuta Adhvaryu, Director of the 21st Century India Center and Tata Chancellor’s Professor of Economics at UC San Diego, added, “This generous gift allows us to create a strong network of U.S. leaders who are connected to Indian counterparts and have access to cutting-edge research and knowledge. By fostering a deeper understanding of India and its global significance, we aim to have a lasting impact on U.S.-India relations.”

Looking Forward

This gift from the Motwani Jadeja Foundation represents a significant step forward in advancing U.S.-India relations and fostering global collaboration through education, research, and policy innovation. Through the development of these new programs and partnerships, the 21st Century India Center will continue to strengthen the academic and policy ties between the U.S. and India, creating a lasting impact on future leaders and policymakers.

For more information about the programs and initiatives at the 21st Century India Center, please visit india.ucsd.edu.