Kochi: The British government will take steps to join hands with Kerala in IT and industry sectors, according to British deputy high commissioner Stuart Evans. "Though South India is becoming a major IT hub, Kerala is five years late. The state with an impressive record on human resource development and education should expand further."

Evans is in charge of South India in the British high commission. "In the coming years, the world will listen to India's success," he says. "The country will find its place among the top 10 economies in the world. Globalisation and liberalisation have been the main factors for the country's economic development."

Britain will support India in its attempt for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. India's emergence as a major nuclear power is not forgotten either. The educational visas to the UK are being issued more easily now. Out of the 10,000-odd students who have their post-graduation in England, more than half are from South India. The number of Indians with British citizenship has now reached 13 lakh.

Every year, 50 lakh tourists visit England. The removal of the restriction on students pursuing jobs after their education in England, after they reach there under student visa, will benefit the Indians, he adds. There are quite number of vacancies of nurses too. The British government also plans to bring the students from there to India.

"Medical professionals will be brought here considering the quality medical colleges here. Half of the winners of scholarships given to students are Indians," he says.