India, France sign MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation in science and technology sector

India and France on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, seeking to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations in the science and technology sector.

Department of Science and Technology of India and The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) signed an MoU aimed at exchange of information via organization of meetings, workshops and seminars, exchange of research personnel; joint projects; establishment of Virtual Joint Laboratories, and establishment of Joint Research Centres to better the cooperation in fields such as applied mathematics, physics, Information and communication technology, water resources and environment, life sciences, astronomy, climate and energy.

Meanwhile, an agreement for establishment of a National Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology in India between the Department of Biotechnology of India and CNRS and UPMC was also signed. The agreement seeks to also establish a Hub and Spoke network of laboratories spanning India's marine regions from the Andaman to Lakshadweep.

 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Hollande released stamps to mark 50 years of Indo-French cooperation. The two leaders also held a meeting wherein they reviewed relations between the two countries and discussed matters pertaining to defence, nuclear, economics, culture, education and people to people ties.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the august gathering at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris earlier in the day.

The Prime Minister, who is currently on the first leg on his three-nation nine-day tour, arrived at the UNESCO headquarters at Place de Fontenoy, Paris today.

Prime Minister Modi was also accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Prime Minister Modi will reach the German city of Hannover on Sunday on the second leg of his visit. He will reach Canadian capital Ottawa on Tuesday on the final leg of his visit.