Following the 2010 G20 summit in Toronto, Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Stephen Harper signaled the importance of higher education in the bilateral relationship between Canada and India. The result was the signing of a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in higher education between the two countries. This has created a platform for enhanced Canada-India student and faculty mobility, research collaboration, and partnership opportunities.

In November 2010, the largest delegation of Canadian university presidents to travel abroad undertook a seven-day mission in India. The visit, organized by AUCC, included 15 presidents from universities across Canada. The mission established Canada as a quality partner for higher education, led to new partnerships, and explored new ways for Canadian and Indian universities to work together.