New Delhi, Sept. 22 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Tuesday said that the partnership between India and the European Union (EU) is opening new opportunities for cooperation in strategic areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technology, semiconductors, biotechnology, and advanced research.
This statement came during a meeting with a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The delegation was led by Angelika Winzig of Austria and Raffaele Stancanelli, Member of the European Parliament.
The meeting discussed the implementation of the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), strengthening scientific cooperation, and advancing partnership in critical and emerging technologies.
During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the strategic partnership between India and the European Union holds immense potential for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He stated that science, technology, and innovation have become an important pillar of relations between the two sides.
He emphasized that the early signing and effective implementation of the proposed FTA should be a shared priority for both sides. He stated that this agreement will create new opportunities for businesses, consumers, and skilled professionals and give a new impetus to India-EU relations.
Representing the European delegation, Angelika Winzig described India as an important strategic partner of the EU and said that the purpose of the visit was to better understand India’s industrial and technology policies and identify new areas of cooperation.
She noted the shared priorities of both sides in areas such as enhancing industrial competitiveness, developing robust supply chains, and green and digital transformation.
Highlighting India’s innovation agenda, Dr. Singh said that research and innovation are central to the vision of ‘Developed India 2047.’ He explained that India is now focusing on high-impact research, commercialization of technology, and greater industry participation.
The Minister also mentioned the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the proposed €10 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) program, which aims to promote high-risk and high-impact research and support deep-tech startups.
Dr. Jitendra Singh invited the EU to enhance cooperation in AI, quantum computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, semiconductors, high-performance computing, and next-generation telecommunications technologies, especially 6G.
He said that quantum technology offers enormous opportunities for joint research, skills development, and building technological ecosystems. Cooperation in the field of AI could be particularly focused in areas such as healthcare and scientific research, where ensuring responsible and trustworthy use is crucial.
