Newdelhi:2/12/24:Senior Italian Minister Adolfo Urso, who holds multiple portfolios including Enterprises & Space and is currently on an India visit, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss extension of bilateral cooperation. The meeting between the two Ministers focused on advancing collaborative efforts in science, technology, innovation, and Space exploration. Dr. Jitendra Singh warmly welcomed Adolfo, emphasizing the robust foundation of Indo-Italian ties.
During the meeting, Italy’s interest in expanding cooperation with India across sectors such as Space technology and advanced manufacturing was prominently highlighted. Both nations recognized the potential for addressing global challenges through collaborative efforts and pioneering innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
India and Italy have enjoyed a long-standing partnership in scientific research, particularly through the Synchrotron facility, Elettra, in Trieste. Indian scientists are the second-largest users of this facility after their Italian counterparts. Since 2016, the jointly constructed diffraction beamlines ‘XRD2’ and ‘XPRESS’ have supported cutting-edge research in material science and engineering.
The high-level dialogue reflects the commitment of India and Italy to strengthen their bilateral ties and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. The meeting also explored potential partnerships in Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and quantum technologies. Both ministers expressed a desire to revive the dormant Industrial R&D Programme and initiate new avenues for academic and industrial cooperation, including SMEs and startups.
Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by saying , “This partnership is about building a shared future driven by innovation, inclusivity, and excellence. Together, we can achieve remarkable milestones that benefit our nations and the world.”