The internationalization of higher education has become a defining feature of the global academic landscape, driven by the need to foster globally competent graduates and transnational knowledge systems. This chapter examines the evolving dimensions of internationalization, ranging from traditional student and faculty mobility to more comprehensive approaches that integrate global perspectives into teaching, research, and community engagement. Tracing its historical evolution—from ancient centers of learning and colonial exchanges to Cold War diplomacy and neoliberal globalization—it highlights how policy reforms, geopolitical dynamics, and technological advancements shape internationalization today. With a particular focus on India, the authors examine the recent trends, policy initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and programs such as SWAYAM, GIAN, and SPARC, illustrating how India is positioning itself as a global educational hub, while also briefly introducing the other chapters that the book comprises of. The chapter addresses the tensions inherent in the internationalization of higher education, including issues of equity, quality assurance, and cultural integration, which are subsequently explored in detail in the book’s subsequent chapters. Emphasizing the need for a more inclusive, context-sensitive, and ethically grounded approach to internationalization, the chapter argues that for the Global South, transformative internationalization must align with goals of human development, decolonization, and sustainability, moving beyond market logic and toward equitable global partnerships.