India-US Sign Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in Washington

India and USA have signed a historic agreement to foster Science & Technology Cooperation and to address global problems. The agreement was signed between Minister for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Shri Kapil Sibal and US Secretary of State Ms. Condoleezza Rice in Washington yesterday. The cooperation is based on shared responsibilities and equitable contributions and benefits commensurate with the respective scientific and technological strengths and resources of the two countries. The agreement establishes the framework for dynamic and effective cooperation between organizations and individual scientists of the two countries. It delineates the guidelines for exchange of scientists and the sharing of IPR.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sibal welcomed the cooperation between the oldest and the largest democracies in the world and talked about benefits it would bring to mankind. He pointed out that Christopher Columbus set out to discover India 500 years ago and discovered America. Now after 500 years the USA is discovering the intellectual capacity and cultural values of India. He emphasized that India shared in her dream : "to unite around a vision and policies that will spread freedom and prosperity around the globe." He believed that the agreement was a great leap forward in realizing that vision.

Ms Condoleezza Rice acknowledged that the agreement was the culmination of the painstaking efforts of technical experts of the two sides and the personal involvement accorded by the Indian Minister . Highlighting the features of the agreement she recognized the intellectual prowess and the contributions of the Indian community in the advancement of US economy.

The agreement accords priority to collaborations that can advance common goals in science and engineering research and education, support partnerships between public and private research institutions and industry, and touch on such science and technology issues as: promotion of science-based decision-making, environmental and biodiversity protection, safe drinking water, watershed management, natural and social sciences, agriculture, marine sciences, energy, basic space sciences, climate, HIV/AIDS, infectious and chronic diseases, health and biomedical research, telemedicine, information and communication technologies, standards and metrology, sustainable development, and other mutually beneficial areas.

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : October 18, 2005