India and Russia Discuss Bilateral Cooperation in Science & Technology

A meeting was held between the Union Minister of Science & Technology and Ocean Development of India, Shri Kapil Sibal and the Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Mr. A.A. Fursenko in Moscow yesterday.

Important aspects of the present status and the future development of cooperation in the areas of science & technology and innovations were discussed during the meeting. The sides noted that favourable conditions existed for expanding interaction in the areas of bio-technology, nano-technology and information technology. They were in favour of concentrating their financial resources on joint projects which would serve the interests of national scientific & technological priorities.

Special attention was paid by the two sides to the matter of improving the mechanisms of commercialization and technology transfer. In this connection agreement in principle was reached on drawing up mutually agreed proposals to set up an Indo-Russian Technology Centre.

The two sides exchanged views on establishing interaction between young scientists of India and Russia. It was proposed to examine the possibility of holding regular workshops, conferences and seminars in which they would participate. This kind of interaction would not only promote the growth of academic mobility amongst young scientists, but would also strengthen bilateral ties in the area of science & technology for a long time to come.

In view of the growing significance of science & technology in the overall scheme of bilateral relations, the Ministers agreed to hold annual inter-ministerial meetings to review the practical issues of cooperation in the field of science & technology and innovations.

The Union Minister of Science & Technology and Ocean Development of India Shri Kapil Sibal extended an invitation to the Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation A.A. Fursenko to make an official bilateral visit to India on the occasion of the 7-8 November 2005 Global R&D Summit 2005.

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : August 25, 2005