INVC,,
Delhi,,
H.E. Marco Antonio Raupp, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil who is accompanying H.E. President Dilma Rouseff for the BRICS Summit, met Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Planning, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences today in New Delhi to discuss future steps for strengthening the Indo-Brazil scientific technological cooperation.
Brazil and India have a long standing relationship in the field of Science and Technology. Bilateral collaboration in the area has been strengthened over time through the projects undertaken by the Indo-Brazil Science Council and the recent establishment of India Brazil Joint Commission of Science and Technology. During the current visit of the President of Brazil, India and Brazil are expected to sign (i) Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of the Science without Borders programme in India; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Biotechnology; and (iii) Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology for 2012-15.
The two countries have identified Biotechnology; Computers Sciences and ICT; Earth Systems Sciences including Ocean sciences and Climate change; Engineering; Health and Biomedical sciences; Material sciences and Nano-technology; Mathematics; Natural sciences; and Renewable energy, Energy efficient and Low Carbon technologies as the areas of cooperation.
During his meeting, Dr. Kumar called for further consolidation of unique partnership between the two emerging economic powers. He informed Minister Raupp, that India is committed to faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth by harnessing its knowledge and potential in science and technology and that innovation is a key focus area for the Government. Government proposes to enhance its total R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP to 2% by the end of 2017. Dr. Kumar informed Minister Raupp that India has expanded its international S&T cooperation with technologically advanced countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany Japan, USA, UK and Korea and also with the EU. Government has taken steps to build national capability and capacities in the area of super computing, open drug discovery, national geographical information system (GIS) etc. As a result of indigenous efforts India has emerged as a country with advanced defence and strategic capabilities.
The Brazilian Minister conveyed that his country was committed to strengthening S&T ties with India and assured of increased collaboration between S&T establishments of the two countries.
