Four pacts were signed to further strengthen cooperation in higher education and the I.T. Sector between the India and the United States. The pacts were inked after the third India – US higher education dialogue between various educational institutions .

They also focus on establishment of community colleges and open online courses. Talking to reporters after the dialogue Human Resource Development Minister M. M. Pallam Raju asserted that substantial progress has been made in vocational education and skill development in collaboration with Washington.

He said India has already announced setting up of 200 community colleges . The meeting co-chaired by US Secretary of State Jhon Kerry discussed in detail measures to take the cooperation in the Higher Education Sector to greater heights.

In reply to a question on UK Government's plans to collect a hefty bond of 2.75 lakh rupees from Indian visitors . He said India will make all diplomatic efforts to ensure there is no hindrance in student mobility. He described UK's move as a deterrent factor.

Eight joint research awards of institutional linkages were also announced under Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative on the occasion. 126 C V Raman post-doctoral fellowships were also announced.

The dialogue is part of Research and Innovation Partnership under Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative, Institutional Partnership and Skill Development.

Our Correspondent reports that relations between the two countries have been intensified in the field of education after Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington in 2009 and reciprocal visit of the US President Barack Obama to New Delhi in 2010.