'US-India working closely to deepen cooperation'

The United States and India are working actively to implement President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mutual commitment to strengthen and deepen cooperation in every sector for the benefit of global stability, a top US official said Wednesday.

"Cooperation between the United States and India in science and technology is deeper than it has ever been," John P. Holdren, Science Advisor to Obama and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, said.

Holdren is heading the U.S. government delegation to the first-ever India-U.S. technology summit, as well as to the U.S.-India science and technology joint commission meeting.

During these meetings, U.S. and India made significant progress in advancing Modi and Obama's recent commitments on science, technology, clean energy, climate change and innovation, a release said here.

"President Obama and Prime Minister Modi confirmed the importance of this pillar in the strategic partnership when they met in Washington Sep 30, and this week helped move that relationship forward," Holdren said.

During the Nov 17 joint commission meeting, the co-chairs met with the joint working groups composed of experts from both countries and took stock of progress in the bilateral science and technology relationship.

The topics discussed included basic and applied sciences, health and medical sciences, emerging materials and manufacturing sciences, atmospheric, environment and earth sciences and women in science and technology.

Holdren also led a U.S. delegation of 100 U.S. government officials from multiple agencies to the first ever India-U.S. technology summit where researchers, academics, policy makers, industry representatives and students discussed how science and technology cooperation across a broad range of issues can help tackle 21st century challenges.