London: In a move aimed at strengthening educational ties with the United Kingdom (UK), India has strongly appealed for more British investment and cooperation in the field of higher education and skill up-gradation.

The new areas of cooperation in education were discussed in meeting of Ashwani Kumar, India's Minister of State for Industry and Commerce, with Lord Digby Jones, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment.

Besides, emphasizing on the need of a more proactive approach by UPA government, Kumar pointed out the importance of UK investment for India's physical and social infrastructure development. It is estimated that the sector would require USD 1.5 trillion in the next ten years.

Lord Karan Billimoria, Chairman of the UK-India Business Council, who was also present at the meeting, also highlighted the need for opening up of the education sector in India.

Further, Kumar and Lord discussed many other possible areas of cooperation. The two also unanimously agreed on the point that India and Britain along with US, Germany and France should work together for finding technology solutions for climate change.

Lord Jones also informed the Indian minister that the UK Government believes that opening up of the financial, insurance, legal and accountancy sectors can really give a push to India's economy.