Britain keen to collaborate with India in energy, tourism

Agartala, Aug 6 (IANS) Britain is keen to collaborate in energy, tourism, infrastructure, and agro-based industrial sectors in India's northeast and is also willing to extend technical support for developing the region, British High Commissioner to India Sir James Bevan said here Tuesday.

"Britain is keen to work closely with the Indian states. British firms from sectors like education, healthcare, tourism, infrastructure and technology are ready to extend collaborative works in the Indian states, specially in the northeastern region of India," Bevan told reporters.

He said: "British companies are interested to extend technological and other support in the infrastructure sectors. We have expertise in building roads, railway tracks and airports."

Bevan, who earlier visited other northeastern states, arrived here Monday and met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Panda and discussed about the collaborative scope in various sectors between Britain and India.

Bevan said that huge quantities of natural gas have been found in northeastern India and the British government has expertise in developing the energy sector.

"Renewable energy sectors must be developed a lot with joint efforts."

"To develop professionalism in English language, the British government can train English teachers in India. To study in Britain, the numbers of scholarships for the Indian students and researchers have been increased. There is no limit of visa for the students provided the course must be available in UK," he added.

Bevan, who took up his appointment in November 2011, said the British government has been supportive to India's "Look-East policy".

"British government is also keen to be a close partner to mitigate the effect of climate change in India and also in the northeast region. We are ready to work jointly with the Indian government and its states to solve the common problems," he added.

The British envoy has also visited the Akhaurah India-Bangladesh check posts and inquired about the ongoing trade between northeast India and Bangladesh.