India, Switzerland Strengthen Strategic Science & Technology Partnership; Dr. Jitendra Singh Holds Bilateral Meeting with Swiss President Guy Parmelin

Key Highlights:

• India and Switzerland held a bilateral meeting to strengthen their strategic partnership in science, technology, research, and innovation.
• The meeting was between Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, and H.E. Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation.
• Discussions focused on moving towards a more structured and long-term Indo-Swiss Research Framework (ISRF) and Indo-Swiss Joint Scientific Board.
• Switzerland has earmarked an additional CHF 45 million to further strengthen the partnership.
• The collaboration, ongoing for over two decades since the Inter-Governmental Agreement in 2003, covers areas like AI, quantum technology, biotechnology, space, and deep ocean research.

Detailed Insights:

• India is adopting an interdisciplinary and mission-mode approach to S&T, viewing Artificial Intelligence as an enabling tool across diverse areas.
• India's expanding S&T priorities include vaccine development, genome sequencing, quantum technology, and opportunities in the blue and bio-economy.
• The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and India's Department of Science & Technology (DST) signed a Letter of Intent to boost institutional engagement.
• An Implementation Agreement was also signed between the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and DST for research collaboration.
• Switzerland views India as a rapidly emerging global R&D power and seeks to be a long-term partner in education, research, and innovation.
• The ISRF aims to transition cooperation from a project-based model to a strategic, system-level partnership with enhanced mobility and knowledge exchange.
• Both sides discussed the wider applications of AI, with Switzerland inviting Indian participation in the forthcoming Geneva AI Summit.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indo-Swiss Research Framework (ISRF): A strategic framework aimed at fostering long-term, system-level science and technology cooperation between India and Switzerland.
• Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health.
• Bio-economy: Economic activities derived from biotechnology and biological resources, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and bio-based industries.