New Delhi, Oct 15 : The setting up of an Indo-US education council to boost bilateral relations was discussed in a meeting between William Burns, the US under secretary of state for political affairs, and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal here Thursday.

The US delegation led by Burns conveyed that many American universities are keen to know about India's road map for the education sector.

"The areas of collaboration that the two sides are looking at include research, distant education, vocational education, skill development, exchange of faculty, models of public private partnership and also expertise for the setting up of universities," a human resource ministry official said.    

The meeting was held in the backdrop of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the US next month. Sibal is also touring the US later this month.    

During his visit, Sibal is expected to meet policy makers, including senators and congressmen, and government officials besides holding meetings with representatives of American universities.

"The framework of the proposed India-US Education Council is to be crystallized in this visit," the ministry official added. (IANS)