In a pivotal step to strengthen scientific collaboration, Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, who is currently visiting India, met with Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, as well as the Departments of Space and Atomic Energy, for a high-level discussion at North Block.
A key outcome of this meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two ministers. Their discussions focused on promoting joint initiatives in areas such as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging fields.
Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled the earlier bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G20 Summit in Brazil, which led to the establishment of a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025–2029. This plan outlines a collaborative vision for innovation in science and technology.
As part of this vision, both nations formalized their cooperation in scientific research through the MoU and agreed to implement the Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation for 2025–2027, which aims to enhance collaboration in critical technologies like AI and digitalization.
Reiterating India’s dedication to bilateral research, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) for 2025–2027 will be signed on April 10, 2025, during the Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting. Under the EPOC framework, over 150 joint research projects have been successfully executed to date.
The current programme includes joint funding for 10 research mobility proposals and 10 significant collaborative research initiatives across various scientific disciplines. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized India’s significant advancements in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing (HPC), Big Data, and biotechnology, noting that strategic investments and policies are positioning India as a global leader in emerging technologies.
He highlighted notable achievements, including the development of a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which was distributed to several countries in need, the launch of the HPV vaccine, and Nafithromycin, an indigenous antibiotic for respiratory infections. He also mentioned the success of India’s first gene therapy trial and the establishment of a national genome data bank to support personalized medicine and public health research.
Dr. Jitendra Singh proudly pointed out India’s thriving startup ecosystem, now the third largest in the world, with significant contributions from agro-biotech startups. Initiatives like the Aroma Mission (or Purple Revolution) showcase innovation in agriculture and floriculture. He also discussed the transformative impact of technology-driven initiatives such as the Soil Health Card and Swamitva Yojana, which have modernized agriculture through the use of drone technology.
Reflecting on India’s commitment to integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, Dr. Singh mentioned the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a unique project that digitizes and safeguards traditional Indian knowledge using advanced technology. Additionally, he briefed the delegation on India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to deploy an Indian submersible to depths of 6,000 meters, with trial dives up to 500 meters scheduled to begin next year.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration in areas such as infectious diseases, quantum technologies, green hydrogen, renewable energy, cultural heritage preservation technologies, and the sustainable blue economy. They also agreed to explore new collaborative opportunities in Industry 4.0 and clean energy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh identified additional mutual sectors for cooperation, including academic and industrial partnerships involving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups from both nations. The high-level meeting also included Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.
