The 14th meeting of ASEAN-India Working Group on Science and Technology (AIWGST-14) discussed joint cooperation initiatives and cooperation mechanism between ASEAN and India.
Shri S K Varshney, Head, International Co-operation Division, DST and chair of the meeting underlined how the ASEAN platform could promote STI partnership to touch the lives of its citizens, develop human capacity and excellence which in turn could contribute to the knowledge economy of the countries.
“We believe that for Indian science to be globally competitive, India needs to effectively leverage international collaboration,” he added.
Ambassador of India to ASEAN H.E. Mr. Jayant N.Khobragade said that science and technology is one of the most successful comprehensive partnerships, especially in the field of cutting edge technology, women programs, grassroots level programs, and in InnoTech.
ASEAN COSTI co-chair and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport and Info-communications of Brunei Darussalam, Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof highlighted the need for science policy development in the ASEAN countries and said that India and ASEAN collaborations should be strengthened further.
DST officials and representatives from ASEAN countries attended the meeting that took place in the year of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations celebrated with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, the ongoing joint cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and India were discussed. The commitment to furthering cooperation in science, technology and innovation between India and ASEAN, reflects a shared vision to address pressing challenges and drive growth and development in the region.
