The agreement was signed during a recent visit by India's new High Commissioner to Canada, Admiral(Retired) Nirmal Verma to the McGill University in Quebec province.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India Studies Chair will be held by distinguished Indian scholars who will serve as visiting professors at McGill's Faculty of Arts.

The Chairs will teach two courses, present an annual ICCR Lecture on India, and participate in seminars and other academic activities. The first chairholder will be recruited for the 2013-2014 academic year.

"As the governments of Canada and Quebec seek to strengthen ties with India, McGill University welcomes the opportunity to contribute to education and research in the field of Indian culture and history. We thank the ICCR for choosing to partner with McGill in this initiative" said McGill Principal Heather Munroe-Blum.

McGill has 400 students from India, more than 30 faculty members of Indian origin and a network of some 600 alumni in India.

"I consider it a privilege that soon after my arrival, as the High Commissioner of India to Canada, we have inked the MOU for an India Chair between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and McGill University," said Verma.

"Education presents a great opportunity for enhanced cooperation between India and Canada. The ICCR India Studies Chair that will be housed at McGill will not only promote greater understanding of India, it will also act as a catalyst for collaborative projects between McGill and higher institutions of learning and research in India," he added.

The ICCR India Studies Chair will build on longstanding research collaborations between McGill and partners in India on issues of concern to both nations, such as climate change and sustainable development, food and water security, health and social welfare, urban studies, and the advancement of nanotechnology, aerospace, and other key domains in science and industry, a release from the University said.