New Delhi, Apr 14 : A high level US delegation, led by US Senator Todd Young, called on Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh and sought deeper bilateral cooperation with India in wide range of areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum, Cyber Security, Semiconductor, Clean Energy, Advanced Wireless, Biotechnology, Geosciences, Astrophysics and Defence.
Dr Singh told the US Delegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the last 9 years, took personal interest in Science, Technology and Innovation, and tried pro-actively to implement social sector schemes through science based solutions to bring Ease of Living for the common man.
The Minister said, the patronage received from Modi has opened new opportunities and possibilities in all areas of scientific endeavours, but more so in areas of Space, Biotech, Geospatial and Sustainable StartUps.
Senator Todd Young suggested scaling up collaboration and exploring opportunities to partner in quantum technology, ocean science, nuclear energy, semiconductors, supercomputing and other latest emerging technologies.
An official from the Department of Science and Technology informed the Minister that a total of 35 joint projects have been identified which will be implemented by the Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) and research institutions from the USA.
Senator Todd Young informed that the US looks forward to a greater synergy and collaboration between the DST launched Technology Innovation Hubs and National Science Foundation as NSF has a foundation of academic expertise and core commercial competencies.
Talking about another area of collaboration, Dr Jitendra Singh said that he was happy to inform that the Union Cabinet has approved the LIGO-India project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore.
The Minister and the Senator were also informed about five potential areas of collaboration between Geological Survey of India and United States Geological Survey for setting in place an MoU.
Dr Singh also promised complete support from the Science and Technology Ministry for Indo-US collaboration in budding and promising StartUps in Bio-tech, Dairy and Agri-tech sectors.
The Minister hoped that the US will come to the aid of its natural ally (the oldest and largest democracies of the world) when it comes for technology transfer in critical areas, as there is no other option but to collaborate.
