On July 25, 2020, India and European Union (EU) exchanged Note Verbale to renew its Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the next five years (2020-2025) which expired on May 17, 2020. It was initially inked on 23 November 2001 and renewed two times in past in 2007 and 2015. This renewal is on the lines of the decision taken by both nations during the virtual 15th India-EU Summit which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from India’s side.
- The European Union delegation was headed by European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
- This extension of agreement will further collaborate in research and innovations based on the principles of mutual benefit and reciprocity and also acknowledge 20 years of cooperation.
Key Points:
-In the last 5 years, 73 joint research projects have been implemented, resulting in around 200 joint research publications & filing of few patents. There have also been 500 exchange visits of researchers & students in this period.
– The last five years also saw of cooperation in addressing the societal challenges such as affordable healthcare, water, energy, food and nutrition.
-The cooperation has been focused on water, green transport, e-mobility, clean energy, circular economy, bio-economy, health, and ICT. Additional areas, such as climate change, sustainable urban development, manufacturing, advanced materials, nanotechnologies and biotechnology, food processing, and ocean research may also be considered in future endeavours.
About European Union (EU):
The Union currently counts 27 EU countries. The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on 31 January 2020.
European Parliament president – David-Maria Sassoli
Headquarter– Brussels, Belgium
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