Many global leaders who have studied in India's colleges and institutes have significantly impacted their respective countries' political and social landscapes. By obtaining higher education in India, these leaders were exposed to different perspectives and ways of thinking, which they could bring back to their home countries and apply to their leadership roles. Here is the list of 7 leaders from foreign countries who had studied in India.
Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh and has been in office since 2009. She is the leader of the Awami League, a major political party in Bangladesh. Hasina is the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, widely considered the founding father of Bangladesh, and was the country's first President.
Hasina completed her Bachelor of Science in Economics at the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh and her Master of Arts in Sociology at the University of Calcutta in India. She is the first and only female leader of Bangladesh who completed her higher education in India.
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the current King of Bhutan, ascending to the throne in 2008. He is the fifth Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King, of Bhutan and is widely respected by his people.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Darjeeling, India, where he completed his secondary education. This school is known for its strong academic reputation and ability to provide students with a well-rounded education. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was exposed to a diverse student population and various subjects and extracurricular activities by attending St. Joseph's.
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai is a former President of Afghanistan who served in office from 2001 to 2014. Before his presidency, Karzai studied at Himachal Pradesh University in India, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Himachal Pradesh University is a well-known institution in India that offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in multiple fields. By studying Political Science at Himachal Pradesh University, Karzai would have gained a strong understanding of the subject and developed the skills necessary to analyse and understand political systems and processes.
Ram Baran Yadav
Ram Baran Yadav is a former President of Nepal who served in office from 2008 to 2015. Before his presidency, he studied at Patna University in India, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Patna University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in India, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study. By studying Political Science at Patna University, Ram Baran Yadav would have gained a strong understanding of the subject and developed the skills necessary to analyse and understand political systems and processes.
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Wickremesinghe has been the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka multiple times, first taking office in 1993 and again in 2001. He has also served as the Leader of the Opposition, leading the main opposition party in the parliament. He is one of the most experienced and respected politicians in Sri Lanka and is known for promoting peace and reconciliation between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka.
Ranil Wickremesinghe is a former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka who has held several high-ranking government positions throughout his career. He studied at the University of Ceylon in Sri Lanka, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He also studied at the University of Delhi in India, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in India. It is known for its high-quality education and research in various fields of study, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a former President of the Maldives who served from 2008 to 2012. He is considered one of the most influential politicians in the Maldives and is known for his strong advocacy for democracy and human rights in the country. Before his presidency, Nasheed was an active political figure in the Maldives and was a vocal critic of the previous regime's human rights record.
Nasheed completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. Jawaharlal Nehru University is one of India's premier universities. It is known for its high-quality education and research in various fields of study, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The university has produced many influential leaders, politicians, and scholars, and Nasheed's education there helped him to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful leader.
U Win Myint
U Win Myint is a former President of Myanmar who served from 2018 to 2021. He is a long-time political activist who has been actively involved in Myanmar's political and social movements for many years. He is known for promoting democracy and human rights in Myanmar and has been a vocal critic of the military government's human rights record.
U Win Myint studied at Rangoon Arts and Science University in Myanmar, where he completed his Bachelor's degree in Literature. He also studied at the University of Calcutta in India, gaining further knowledge and understanding of political science, economics, and other related fields. The University of Calcutta is well-established in India with a reputation for high-quality education and research.
