India, US to add advance manufacturing in their Science and Technology Dialogue

In a move aimed at furthering the 'Make in India' initiative, India and the US have agreed to add "advance manufacturing" in their Science and Technology Dialogue.

Agriculture science and ocean wave modelling have also been added to the India-US collaboration in the field of science and technology.

A decision in this regard was taken during the India-US S&T Joint Commission Meeting held at the White House.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science & Technology.

The two leaders, who reviewed the progress under five Joint Working Groups for S&T cooperation between two countries, decided that techno-entrepreneurship and innovation will be the centre piece of future collaboration.

Vardhan was in Washington to attend the Arctic Ministerial on September 28 which was attended by top officials from about 20 countries.

In his address the Minister emphasised the significance of environment and climate change in the Arctic region and its impact on Indian Monsoon.

He expressed India's readiness to enhance cooperation on Arctic science and research.

On the sidelines of Arctic Science Ministerial, the minister had a meeting with Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, United Kingdom and discussed the bilateral programs.

He also had a meeting with Roe Isaksen, Norwegian Minister for Education and Research and discussed the collaborations in areas of Arctic and Antarctic science and climate change.

Vardhan also visited Lockheed Martin Global Vision Centre (GVC), a centre for research and innovation, and had meetings with Rodney A Makoske, senior Vice President and exchanged Letters to extend the India Innovation Growth Program (IIGP) involving DST, Lockheed Martin and TATA Trusts.

The IIGP 2.0 will support "Make in India" and "Start-up India" initiatives with focus on social and technological innovations.

During the visit to the National Institute of Health, Vardhan was apprised on the activities of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) by eminent scientist DrAnthony Fauci, Director, NIAID.

Advancement of vaccines for TB, Dengue, RSV and Chickungunya under bilateral Vaccine Development Programme were discussed.

He had a tour of Vaccine Research Centre and Clinical Research Centre.

Vardhan also had interactions with science and technology diaspora, organised by Indo-US Brain Trust.

In his interaction with eminent scientists, engineers, innovators and academicians, he exchanged views on how to strengthen the scientific cooperation between the two countries.

He reiterated that deep rooted S&T cooperation between scientific community and research institutions of two countries is a pillar of vibrant India-US relationship.