Britain will help Karnataka, whose capital is the globally recognised tech centre Bengaluru, in developing leadership in higher education centres and strengthen research exchange between the two partners, said an official.

"The British Council has signed an agreement with the Karnataka government to collaborate on leadership development in higher education institutions," said the official after visiting UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met state Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa at the state secretariat.

Raab is on a four-day official visit to India since December 14 with a delegation to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

"Relationship between India and the UK spans several sectors, including trade and commerce, education, science and technology, defence and culture," said Yediyurappa on the occasion.

Britain is a part of Karnataka's Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative for innovative partnerships with countries the world over to improve the southern state's image as the world's fourth largest technology hub.

As a GIA partner, 38 per cent of UK investment in India was made in Karnataka in 2017-18.

The collaboration will deliver a transformational project on design and delivery of multimodal transport hubs in Bengaluru, an integrated transport authority and transport observatory in partnership with UK Catapults.

"The project demonstrates innovative ways to combat air pollution. The GIA is a platform to highlight the state's leadership role and chart a way forward in the sector," asserted Yediyurappa.

British Council India Director Barbara Wickham said the agreement with the state was a step to realise the mutual vision of a strong India-UK education relationship.

(IANS)