3 Kashmir Universities Cancel Agreements With US-Based Foundation After Intelligence Red Flag

Srinagar, April 12 : Three major universities in Kashmir have abruptly terminated their academic agreements with a United States-based non-governmental organization following a security alert issued by Indian intelligence agencies.

Kashmir University (KU), the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir) have all formally canceled Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed in 2025 with the Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF) , a non-profit registered in Atlanta, USA.

The agreements, intended to facilitate workshops, seminars, and academic collaborations in STEM, humanities, and agricultural sciences, have been scrapped amid concerns over the foundation’s activities.

In its termination letter to the KCF president, Kashmir University stated that continuing the MoU was “not in the larger institutional interest” of the university. IUST invoked a ‘Force Majeure’ clause, clarifying in its correspondence that “no financial, contractual, or other liabilities have accrued to either party.” SKUAST-Kashmir has also sent a formal cancellation notice regarding its April 2025 agreement.

While the universities officially cited reviews by “competent authorities,” sources confirmed that the move was triggered after intelligence agencies flagged certain individuals associated with KCF.

“Authorities suspect that these platforms are being used as soft channels to disseminate a specific ideological agenda. The involvement of US-based actors has further intensified scrutiny, with fears of coordinated influence efforts across borders,” a security source told reporters.

The KCF, founded in 2024 just a year before signing the tripartite MoUs describes itself as non-religious and apolitical. The foundation has not yet issued an official response to the terminations