Govt giving high priority to scientific innovation, says Minister
India and Mexico have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on research, technology and innovation collaborations with focus on several key technology areas like Aerospace, Electronics Instrumentation & Strategic Sectors.
The MoU, signed on 4 Mar 2023, also covers Civil, Infrastructure & Engineering; Ecology, Environment Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water; Mining, Minerals, Metals & Materials; Chemicals (including leather) and Petrochemicals; Energy (Conventional & Non-Conventional) and Energy Devices; Agri, Nutrition & Biotech and Healthcare.
Minister for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh and Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard witnessed the MoU signing at the India Science Centre.
Welcoming Ebrard and his Delegation, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “The Government delegation coming with Private Successful Start-Up ventures is a welcome sign and both the sides will exploit the Innovative Eco-System fully to have Sustainable Start-Ups.”
He also highlighted that the Indian Government is giving high priority to scientific innovation like marine science, climate change and bio-fuels among others.
Terming India and Mexico as ‘Privileged Partners’, the Minister said, “The two countries can complement and supplement each other in many areas and we are on right course.”
Dr Jitendra Singh assured the Mexican Foreign Minister that the three priority areas of Water, Lithium and Vaccines flagged by the Mexican side will be taken care of by the CSIR and other Sister Organizations and India will provide tangible results in coming few months.
He said, “Lithium is becoming a real connect between India and Mexico, apart from the future vision of Sustainable Start-Ups.”
Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that CSIR and Mexican Agencies through this MoU could contribute effectively to the global society through Research and Innovation Partnerships for technology development, upscaling of each other’s Intellectual Property for commercialization as well as sharing of Research Infrastructure Development.
In addition to regular research & development, capacity building & training and participation in Knowledge dissemination activities, a special focus on Technology and Industry collaboration has been structured in the MoU, he said.
The Minister also informed that as a way forward to identify specific collaborative proposals, topical interaction meetings between scientists from CSIR and institutions in Mexico are planned in this month itself, specifically focusing on Health, Energy, Aerospace and Environmental protection aspects.
He pointed out that it will be highly relevant to finalize collaboration proposals in consultation with industries and other stakeholders.
Ebrard said that Mexican President Andreas Manuel Obrador has instructed the Mexican Delegation to forge close ties with India and work for Joint Strategic Vision.
India-Mexico bilateral relations are though old and time tested, but this is the “Best Moment of Bilateral Engagement”, he underlined. fiinews.com
