In a major milestone in science and technology cooperation between India and Israel, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on industrial research and development cooperation was signed between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). Republic of India and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) under the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel.
Dr. N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR thanked the Hon’ble Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of Indonesia and Vice President of CSIR for the honor of the meeting and his continued support to CSIR. While sharing priority topics, CSIR agreed with DDR&D’s interest in further collaboration with Israel in high technology areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum and semiconductors, synthetic biology, etc.
Dr. Daniel Gold, Director of DDR&D, acknowledged the ongoing collaborative efforts of CSIR and his team and envisioned that the CSIR-DDR&D collaboration would be beneficial to the well-being of both countries. He added that DDR&D welcomes cooperation not only with R&D organizations, but also with start-ups and companies, venture capital on both sides.
Realizing that artificial intelligence and photonics are Israel’s strengths
Highlighting the successful completion of three decades of India-Israel successful diplomatic relations, Israel’s Ambassador to India Naor Gilon highlighted the close friendly relations between Israel and India.
The memorandum of understanding will enable cooperation in industrial research and development programs in mutually acceptable areas of industrial technology through the implementation of specific projects.
The collaboration would involve some key industry sectors including healthcare; Aerospace & Electronics Instrumentation; Construction, infrastructure and engineering; Chemicals and petrochemicals, Sustainable energy including energy equipment; Ecology, Environment, Earth and Ocean Sciences and Water; Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials; Agriculture, food and biotechnology.
The collaboration through the MoU would be managed and implementation monitored by a joint steering committee led by the heads of CSIR and DDR&D to develop mutually beneficial industrial and technological collaboration.
The specific cooperation on hydrogen and aeronautics, which is currently being discussed between CSIR and DDR&D, was informed by Dr. Abhay Pashilkar, Director, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), and Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL). ; welcomed collaboration on futuristic technologies in these areas, including the High Altitude Platform, CSIR’s Hydrogen Valley programs, respectively.
She was informed about a specific collaboration in the field of therapeutics between CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) and M/s 101 Therapeutics to conduct clinical trials of a drug for COVID-19 with huge therapeutic potential; if successful, it would prove highly appropriate and effective for preparing for future pandemics. A MoU between CSIR-IICT and M/s 101 Therapeutics was also signed during the meeting.
In his remarks, Dr Jitendra Singh said that it is a very important year in the field of science and technology in India under the leadership of the Indian Prime Minister, as India is chairing the G20, celebrating the International Year of Millets, as well as India and Israel completing 30 years. successful diplomatic relations.
