New Delhi, October 6 (IANS). India and Switzerland have emphasized on deepening their cooperation in the fields of investment, science, technology, research and innovation. Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Swiss President Guy Parmelin in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed various aspects of strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Giving information on social media platform 'X', the Finance Ministry said that issues related to common interests of India and Switzerland were discussed between the two leaders. The meeting specifically discussed taking forward the ongoing negotiations on Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Both countries believe that this agreement will increase investment flow and give new impetus to economic partnership.
Earlier, an important meeting also took place between Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Both sides agreed to give a more structured and long-term form to the long-standing cooperation in the field of science, technology, research and innovation.
In the meeting, emphasis was laid on increasing institutional cooperation keeping in mind the emerging technologies and future challenges. Both countries saw education, research and innovation as important pillars of the strategic partnership.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India is increasingly adopting interdisciplinary and mission mode approach in the field of science and technology. He informed that many national programs are being conducted by bringing together experts from different ministries and subjects on one platform.
He said that India is not looking at Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a separate subject, but as a technology that can bring changes in many areas of science and technology. Apart from this, he also shared information about India's progress in biotechnology, vaccine development, genome sequencing, quantum technology, space research and deep sea research.
Possibilities of cooperation in emerging areas like blue economy and bio-economy were also discussed during the meeting. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India is moving forward rapidly in these areas and wants to promote innovation-based development through international cooperation.
He welcomed the progress made towards the Indo-Swiss Research Framework (ISRF) and the Indo-Swiss Joint Scientific Board, saying that this will provide a strategic and long-term basis to the scientific cooperation between the two countries.
At the same time, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said that Switzerland sees India as a rapidly emerging global research and development power. He said that his country wants to become a long-term partner of India in the fields of education, research and innovation.
He informed that Switzerland has earmarked an additional amount of 45 million Swiss Francs (CHF) to further strengthen this partnership. He expressed hope that India will also show similar commitment, which will further strengthen the joint research infrastructure of both the countries.
–IANS
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