Italy and India Forge New Scientific Alliance
In a pivotal step towards strengthening scientific collaboration, Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, met with India’s Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, during her visit to India. The high-level meeting, held at North Block, culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
Key Developments from the Meeting
The meeting between the two ministers was marked by the signing of an MoU that sets the stage for collaborative initiatives in various emerging sectors. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of this partnership, recalling discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Summit in Brazil. These discussions led to the announcement of a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025–2029, which outlines a shared vision for innovation in science and technology.
As part of this strategic vision, both nations agreed to implement the Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation for 2025–2027. This program aims to foster collaboration in critical technologies, including artificial intelligence and digitalization. Dr. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to bilateral research, announcing the signing of the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) during the upcoming Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting on April 10, 2025. To date, over 150 joint research projects have been successfully executed under this framework.
Focus on Emerging Technologies
The current collaboration includes joint funding for ten research mobility proposals and ten significant collaborative research initiatives across various scientific disciplines. Dr. Jitendra Singh showcased India’s advancements in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, Big Data, and biotechnology. He noted that India’s strategic investments and policies are positioning the country as a global leader in emerging technologies.
Among India’s notable achievements, Dr. Singh mentioned the development of a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which has been shared with numerous countries in need. He also highlighted the successful launch of the HPV vaccine, the indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin for respiratory infections, and the country’s first gene therapy trial. Furthermore, the establishment of a national genome data bank aims to support personalized medicine and public health research.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
Dr. Singh also discussed India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, now the third largest globally, with significant contributions from agro-biotech startups. Initiatives like the Aroma Mission, also known as the Purple Revolution, exemplify innovation in agriculture and floriculture. He pointed out the transformative impact of technology-driven schemes such as the Soil Health Card and Swamitva Yojana, which utilize drone technology to revolutionize agricultural practices.
In addition to technological advancements, Dr. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to preserving traditional knowledge through modern science. The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a unique initiative that digitizes and safeguards traditional Indian knowledge using advanced technology. He also briefed the delegation on India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to explore the ocean’s depths with an Indian submersible, with trial dives set to begin next year.
Future Collaborative Areas
Both countries reaffirmed their dedication to long-term cooperation in various fields, including infectious diseases, quantum technologies, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and cultural heritage preservation technologies. They also expressed interest in exploring new collaborative areas such as Industry 4.0 and clean energy solutions.
Dr. Jitendra Singh identified additional sectors for mutual collaboration, including academic and industrial partnerships involving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups from both nations. The meeting also included Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, who contributed to the discussions on enhancing bilateral scientific cooperation.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
