The Centre's directive to seek its permission for academic collaboration with Chinese universities has raised many eyebrows, with some saying that the move shows the Centre is insecure. The University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a letter to all the universities earlier this week, asking them to get prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before signing any Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with their Chinese counterparts.

The restrictions also apply to the existing MoUs. "Prior nod of the MEA and the MHA must be taken by all the academic institutions/universities before signing off MoUs, educational exchange programs, agreements and joint declarations of intent... Universities, including private institutions that have already signed a deal with Chinese universities, must seek clearance from MHA for operating the MoU," the UGC letter said.