UNSW will pursue even closer ties with India, following a visit from India's science and technology minister.

Union Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, has led a high level delegation to the Kensington campus to meet with Vice Chancellor Fred Hilmer and other University dignitaries to discuss potential collaborations.

The delegation included the Indian High Commissioner, Mrs Sujatha Singh and the Indian Consul-General in Sydney Mr Sujan Chinoy.

During the meeting, Mr Sibal pointed to the enormous changes underway in India and the great potential for partnerships with Australian universities, especially in the areas of science and technology.

UNSW's proven strengths in photovoltaics, medical research and nanotechnology were singled out.

Mr Sibal stressed India and Australia were natural partners who shared similar democratic traditions, multicultural society and the same language.

The visit to UNSW followed NSW Premier Morris Iemma's announcement in India last year that the University would set up 21 Visiting Research Fellowships to deepen engagement with India through highly focused strategic collaboration in Science, Engineering and Technology and Medical Science.

A research agreement was also signed with two leading Indian energy and resources institutes.

The 21 Fellows will be appointed when they attend UNSW's International Research Workshop being held next week from 20 to 22 February.

The Australian Government has also announced a sponsorship package for Indian engineers to study with world class solar power experts at UNSW.

UNSW offers the world's first photovoltaic and solar energy engineering degree program.