India and Italy, advancing their strategic partnership, have decided to give new direction to scientific and technological cooperation. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh and Italy's University and Research Minister Ms Anna Maria Bernini discussed this in a bilateral meeting.
The high‑level meeting is part of Dr. Jitendra Singh’s Italy visit from 11 to 15 November. During it, the leaders focused on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, high‑performance computing, clean energy, advanced biotechnology and biomedical research.
Promoting joint research and innovation
Both sides envisaged a new joint research call for 2027, aimed at providing researchers with opportunities for collaborative activities. The first inter‑governmental science and technology agreement between India and Italy was signed in 1978 and renewed in 2003.
In 2023 the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership, after which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a 2025‑2029 joint strategic work plan in November 2024. In the same vein, a memorandum of understanding was signed in New Delhi in April 2025.
- Key areas of scientific cooperation between India and Italy: artificial intelligence and big data
- Clean technology, hydrogen and renewable energy
- Advanced biotechnology including gene therapy, mRNA technology and biomanufacturing
- Second India‑Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026 to be held