A high-level European Union delegation, led by Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, met with India’s Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, to strengthen startup and innovation collaborations. The meeting highlighted the long-standing India-EU science and technology partnership, dating back to the 2001 agreement, renewed in 2015 and 2020, and set for renewal from 2025 to 2030. Dr. Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for India’s rapid scientific progress and emphasised key areas for future cooperation, including water resource management, clean energy, AI, healthcare, and climate research. He also outlined India’s €20.92 million contribution to joint projects, such as wastewater treatment (PAVITRA GANGA), improved influenza vaccines (ENDFLU), and pollution mapping (SPRING). Future collaboration opportunities were identified in quantum research, the bioeconomy, green hydrogen, high-performance computing, and battery technology. Dr Singh stressed the importance of global partnerships to address climate change and advance health research, highlighting India’s National AI Mission and potential joint efforts in AI safety and healthcare innovation. The EU delegation included senior officials from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and the EU Delegation to India. Dr. Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the EU to tackle global challenges and drive mutual growth. (PIB) Images Source:indianexpress