EU and India tie up research cooperation
An agreement which will see heightened research and development (R&D) cooperation between the European Union and India was signed in Delhi, India at the second EU-India summit on 23 November. The initiative comes following contacts between European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin and Indian Minister for resources development and science and technology, Murli Manohar Joshi. It will open up the two respective research programmes to each other's researchers and scientists, as well as enabling the exchange of equipment, information, practices and materials. Commissioner Busquin highlighted the key role that R&D played for both parties. 'In Europe and in India, the expectations towards research and development are high. Research and development is a powerful engine for sustainable and equitable growth and competitiveness. It is also a major source of improvement of the quality of life and the environment. It is therefore the duty of the policy decision makers to ensure that the research and development challenges are met.' While there is no restriction to the areas that the agreement will cover, the two parties have signalled that certain topics are high priority. Climate change and biodiversity conservation represent particularly important areas for both, while poverty eradication, food security and safety and the knowledge-based society were also pinpointed. Those areas which would bring the greatest synergy between the two parties include information technology, biotechnology, new materials, aeronautics and chemical engineering. The basis of the agreement is mutual benefit. It will be enacted while respecting the relevant laws of the two parties, including the protection and equitable sharing of intellectual property and property rights.