between the Ministry of University and Research of the Italian Republic and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of India
On the occasion of the second edition of the Italy–India Science and Innovation Dialogue, held in Rome on 12 November 2026, the Minister of University and Research of the Italian Republic, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences of the Republic of India, Dr. Jitendra Singh, met in Rome on 12 November 2026 and expressed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in scientific research and innovation. The Hon’ble Minister was accompanied by a delegation of distinguished academics and scientists from leading Indian research and academic institutions, as well as incubators and technology hubs, including the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad; Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram; National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi; Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata; Qmet Tech Foundation; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay; Incubator and Technopark, IIT Kanpur; and IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad. The delegation had productive and substantive discussions with their Italian counterparts and explored avenues for collaboration in science, technology, research and innovation.
The Ministers recalled the longstanding and fruitful scientific and technological relations between Italy and India, underpinned by the Agreement between their Governments on cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, signed in New Delhi on 28 November 2003. They reaffirmed their conviction that scientific cooperation contributes to closer relations between the two countries, promotes mutual understanding and supports sustainable economic and societal development.
In this context, the Ministers welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of scientific research, signed in New Delhi on 11 April 2025 between Italy’s Ministry of University and Research and India’s Ministry of Science and Technology highlighted the breadth of common scientific interests identified in the MoU and the importance of building partnerships based on reciprocity, mutual benefit, scientific excellence and complementary capabilities.
Both Parties welcomed the ongoing work to translate this shared framework into concrete joint initiatives. In particular, they acknowledged the role of the Italy-India Joint Committee responsible for the implementation and pursuit of cooperation activities under the Memorandum of Understanding, also in accordance with the bilateral Agreement of 2003. They highlighted the ongoing work of the Committee towards the launch of a joint call for research proposals in 2027, to promote collaborative research by Italian and Indian partners, combining complementary scientific expertise and supporting durable institutional partnerships. The scientific thematic priorities currently under discussion include (a) Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing and Big Data; (b) Clean Technologies, Hydrogen, Renewable Energy and the Energy Transition; and (c) Advanced Biotechnology and Biomedical Research, with particular attention to gene therapy, mRNA technologies and biomanufacturing.
Both sides welcomed the dedicated session held within the framework of the Dialogue, which brought together representatives of the research and innovation ecosystems of both countries to exchange views on shared scientific and technological priorities and explore new opportunities for cooperation. They highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between universities, research institutions and innovation stakeholders, to foster scientific excellence, technology transfer and long-term partnerships.
The Ministers reaffirmed their intention to maintain close dialogue on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and to promote practical cooperation between their respective scientific and innovation ecosystems, with a view to delivering tangible and lasting benefits for both countries.
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NKR/FT/AA