India will host the next Indo-French Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting in January 2024, this was announced during the meeting of Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) with H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India at Technology Bhawan yesterday.
“The meeting to be held in New Delhi which will provide new impetus to the Indo-French STI Cooperation. It will also fulfil wishes expressed by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and President of France to strengthen and make bilateral Science, Technology, Innovation and Academic Cooperation, vectors of progress and independence for our countries while releasing HORIZON 2047 in July 2023,” said Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST during the announcement.
DST Secretary and Ambassador of France to India discussed bilateral Science, Technology and Innovation cooperation as well as the roadmap for implementation of several new areas as suggested by the leaders of the two countries.
It was agreed to explore joint cooperation in futuristic areas such as Energy Conservation & Storage; Quantum Technologies, Cyber Physical System, Affordable Healthcare; Climate Change, Geospatial Technologies. It was also agreed to bring Deep Tech Start-ups of both countries to the ambit of Indo-French STI collaboration.
While reviewing the ongoing cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation between the two countries, Secretary DST stressed that science, technology and innovation has received special attention between the two countries.
H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou acknowledged the significant role being played by the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA). He added that it has emerged as a unique model of bi-national institution for promotion of scientific and technological relationship between the two countries.
Prof. Abhay Karandikar and H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou reviewed preparation of the forthcoming Ministerial Meeting and next Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi in January 2024.
The French Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens, Cultural Counsellor and Director- French Institute in India (IFI) and Mr Nicolas Gherardi, Counsellor for Scientific Cooperation, Embassy of France in India. Prof. Nitin Seth, Director, Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) was also present in the meeting.
