STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: In a landmark development aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation, Italy’s Minister of University & Research, Anna Maria Bernini, currently visiting India, met with Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for various departments under the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting took place at North Block, where the two dignitaries, accompanied by senior delegations, held high-level talks and signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced scientific collaboration.
New Delhi on Friday.
The discussions were centered around emerging sectors such as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and digitalization. This interaction builds upon the shared vision outlined during the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil. That dialogue led to the announcement of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, underscoring both countries’ intent to foster innovation-driven growth.
As part of this strategic roadmap, the two countries signed an MoU to implement the 2025-2027 Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (EPOC), which includes joint funding for 10 collaborative research projects and 10 research mobility proposals. Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing scientific partnership, highlighting that over 150 joint Indo-Italian research projects have been executed under the EPOC framework so far.
Dr. Singh showcased India’s rapid technological strides-citing the country’s indigenous development of a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, the HPV vaccine, and the antibiotic Nafithromycin. He also noted the success of India’s first-ever gene therapy trial and the establishment of a national genome data bank aimed at driving personalized medicine and public health research.
India’s expansive startup ecosystem-now the third largest globally-was highlighted, with special mention of agro-biotech startups and landmark initiatives such as the Aroma Mission (Purple Revolution), Soil Health Card, and Swamitva Yojana, all powered by cutting-edge technologies like drones.
The two sides also explored expanding their cooperation into new frontiers such as Industry 4.0, clean energy, and cultural heritage technologies. Discussions included ongoing projects in infectious diseases, green hydrogen, quantum technologies, and the sustainable blue economy. Italy expressed deep interest in India’s Deep Ocean Mission, which includes an ambitious plan to send an Indian submersible 6,000 meters deep into the ocean.
Senior officials including Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, also participated in the discussions, reaffirming the commitment to a future of shared scientific progress.