Anandi Iyer, Director of the Fraunhofer Office India and founder of Dialog.net, met with European Union Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva on 27 February. This marks the first-ever visit by an EU Commissioner to the country, underlining the growing emphasis on India-EU cooperation in research and innovation.
Following the meeting, Iyer lauded the Commissioner’s keen insights and commitment to fostering deeper collaborations between India and the EU. “Her dynamism, sharp insights, and keen observations with leading experts from research, industry, and startups left us convinced about the promising initiatives that she seeks to push through,” said Iyer.
Fraunhofer, a key research partner to the EU Commission, is looking to expand its collaboration further, particularly in areas of innovation, research, and sustainable development.
Commissioner Zaharieva Holds Talks with Science and Technology Minister
Later in the day, Commissioner Zaharieva met with Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, to discuss India-EU partnerships in startup ecosystems, research, and technological advancements. Their discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum research, healthcare, and ocean and polar research.
The meeting underscored the longstanding scientific and technological partnership between India and the EU, dating back to the 2001 India-EU Science and Technology Agreement. Dr. Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering deeper ties with the EU in key research areas. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been instrumental in making India a hub of cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and driving transformative initiatives across various scientific domains,” said Dr. Singh.
Key Areas of India-EU Cooperation
During the discussions, both sides identified key focus areas for enhanced collaboration:
• Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data, and Robotics
• Quantum Computing and Secure Communication
• Healthcare, Vaccine Development, and Pandemic Preparedness
• Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Smart Grids
• Ocean and Polar Research
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s growing contributions to EU-backed projects, particularly in water resource management, clean energy, and biotechnology. He noted that India has committed €20.92 million to joint research initiatives.
Future Roadmap for India-EU Collaboration
Looking ahead, the leaders explored potential areas for expanded cooperation:
• Green Hydrogen: Strengthening partnerships in renewable hydrogen production and electrolysis technology
• Bioeconomy: Advancing biotechnology research and sustainable industrial growth
• High-Performance Computing: Enhancing computational power for scientific and industrial applications
• Battery Technology and Blue Economy: Innovations in energy storage and ocean resource management
The Minister also emphasized India’s National AI Mission as a key area of collaboration, with the potential to set global standards in AI safety and ethical development.
Strengthening Global Partnerships in Science and Innovation
The EU delegation included senior officials from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, along with representatives from the European Commission and the EU Delegation to India.
Dr. Singh concluded by reaffirming India’s dedication to strengthening its partnership with the EU. “The shared vision for collaboration in science and technology will pave the way for groundbreaking innovations and solutions to global challenges,” he said. The meetings mark a significant milestone in the India-EU strategic partnership, reinforcing their commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and technological progress on a global scale.
