London, Apr 26: Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh Wednesday held a one on one meeting with the British Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman.
According to an official statement issued by the ministry from London, the wide range of issues discussed by the two Ministers included UK-India “Roadmap 2030”.
Dr Singh highlighted the close collaboration between the two countries strengthened through the ambitious ‘Roadmap 2030’ which was adopted by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Bali.
The minister congratulated the Government of the United Kingdom for the formation of a new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and said that it reflects the Government’s desire to place technology and innovation at the core of the UK economy.
Both the leaders agreed that an India UK technology partnership is central to the vision and prosperity today and for the future generations of both the countries.
Dr Jitendra Singh expressed satisfaction on the progress made since the last Science and Innovation Council Meeting held in New Delhi in July 2018.
The bilateral scientific cooperation has become truly multi-dimensional as India UK S & T partnership covers all aspects of Research and Innovation which is required for both nations to rise to new heights together, he added.
Dr Singh said that he strongly believes that India can lead the newly industrialising countries in developing and adopting affordable technologies and processes, and demonstrate a growth path and low-energy consumption pattern that would be far more sustainable than that of the industrial countries.
Minister George Freeman said, he hoped that in today’s meeting, both leaders would be able to identify new cooperation opportunities for the scientific communities of India and UK to achieve the task given by the Prime Ministers of both countries.
Both the Ministers agreed on the fact that the global challenges we face today do not respect geopolitical boundaries and hence can be effectively addressed through scientific collaboration and not competition.
Minister Freeman concluded by saying that he is looking forward to deliberations with the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during his visit to the UK on how both countries can focus on making S&T cooperation mutually beneficial with stronger economic impact for their citizens.
