India and the United States have agreed to explore new models for educational institutions to take knowledge partnership to a higher level.

This will also help in further deepening the bilateral strategic cooperation. In a Joint Statement issued at the end of the India-US Higher Education Summit in Washington, the goals of the partnership were outlined.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, during discussions in the summit, made it clear that India is keen to strengthen teacher exchange programmes to promote development of human resources.

New Delhi intends to sponsor initially up to 1,500 faculty and junior scholars to leading universities and research institutes in the United States.

The two sides welcomed the involvement of the private sector in the partnership to support and deepen collaboration in faculty exchanges, skills development and institutional partnerships.

AIR correspondent reports, the India-US higher education summit will be an annual feature and help intensify greater partnership and development of leadership in academia at all levels.