The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been apprised of the renewed Agreement for Scientific and technological Cooperation with European Union (EU) for another period of 5 years as effective from May 17, 2015 until 2020 reaffirming their shared commitment to research and Innovation as drivers of social and economic development.
The purpose of the Agreement is to strengthen the co-operation in Research and Development activities in science & Technology fields of common interest between the research institutions of the European Union Member States and India on the basis of parity, reciprocity and co-investment of resources including funds.
The cooperation activities include supporting joint research and development projects; exchange of scientists and experts, sharing of advanced research facilities, joint seminars, symposia and workshops, sharing of relevant information on science, technology and innovation policy, program and research & development projects.
The Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India and the Directorate General Research and Innovation of the European Commission are the executive agencies of the cooperation activities and oversee the implementation of this Agreement through regular meeting of Joint Steering Committee on Science and Technology.
Background:
The Agreement was initially signed in November, 2001 was in force till May 2015. The Agreement was renewed through exchange of diplomatic letters (Note Verbale) between Mission of India and the European Union in Brussels, Belgium and the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium in March, 2016.
