'HRD minister's visit enhanced US-India educational relations'

Union Human Resource Development Minister M M Pallam Raju's visit to the US has laid the groundwork for refining and enhancing educational partnership between that country and India, a US official said.

"His visit laid the groundwork for refining and enhancing our educational partnership, and conversations begun during the minister's trip will feed directly into June's dialogue," said Tara D Sonenshine, undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs.

Raju had recently visited Washington to hold talks with top American officials and those from US universities and had also visited a community college.

Describing his Washington trip as "very fruitful and engaging", Raju said he was looking towards much greater cooperation and collaboration with the US on education. "As I prepare to return to India for the dialogue, I look forward to continuing this important conversation with our vital partner," Sonenshine said referring to her own upcoming visit to India.

"Minister Raju's visit has solidified our joint commitment to deliver high quality, cost-effective instruction for students to access knowledge.

"It will be exciting to witness how this relationship evolves over the months - and years - to come," she wrote in her diplomatic blog.

"At the forthcoming US-India Higher Education Dialogue later this month in New Delhi, the US and India will continue to strengthen educational ties, knowing the important stakes at hand," she said in the blog.

She added that the potential to collectively educate and prepare millions of youth for success, while also creating jobs and growing our economies," Sonenshine wrote.