Relations > Scientific and Technical Collaborations

[Sourav]

An active exchange of expertise takes place between France and India in several key high-technology areas of research, according to umbrella agreements between the two countries (such as the Agreement for Cooperation in Science and Technology, which dates back to July 1978) as well as specific agreements between specialised Indian ministries or Research Institutions, and their French counterparts. The Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR), which was set up in 1987 as a joint and equally funded project with the objective of catalysing cooperation in emerging research areas, has been an important contributor to the bilateral scientific cooperation. An active programme of cooperation exists between the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), with about 12-14 scientists from CSIR visiting French laboratories every year and about 6-8 French scientists being received in CSIR facilities. A cooperation agreement also exists between the CNRS and the Department of Biotechnology of the Government of India. The long-standing cooperation between ISRO and the French Space Agency CNES in the exploration and research into the peaceful uses of Outer Space is an outstanding example of scientific collaboration. Recent examples of fruitful interaction include the Third Joint Working Group between the Indian Council of Medical Research and the French Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, at the sidelines of which a joint seminar on 'Neuroprotection in Early Life' was organised at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore in February 2003.

The 9th meeting of the Indo-French Committee on Scientific & Technological Cooperation was held in Paris on November 6-7, 2003. The current focus in this area is on new initiatives for setting up joint laboratories and projects in emerging technologies like water sciences, climatology, nano-technology, bio-technology and information technology.