Cabinet approves India, Indonesia deals in science, health

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved two preliminary agreements between India and Indonesia related to scientific and technological cooperation and health cooperation, respectively

August 9, 2018

The S&T deal will include cooperation among researchers from scientific organisations, academia, research and development laboratories and from companies in India and Indonesia

Information and Communication Technology, Marine Science and Technology, Life Sciences, Energy Research, Space Sciences have been identified as potential areas for collaboration

The latest healthcare deal covers the following areas of cooperation - research and development, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), IT-based medical equipment and health services

India had entered into another deal with Indonesia in relation to development of pharmaceutical products, pharmaceutical substances, biological product and cosmetics regulations

On August 9 the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved two preliminary agreements between India and Indonesia related to scientific and technological cooperation and health cooperation, respectively. The agreement pertaining to scientific and technological cooperation was signed by Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences and Mohamad Nasir, Indonesia’s Minister for Research, Technology and Higher Education in May 2018. The latest agreement is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral relations as both sides will now leverage complementary strengths spurred by a significant convergence in science and technology.

The agreement will include cooperation among researchers from scientific organisations, academia, research and development (R&D) laboratories as well as from companies in India and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Information and Communication Technology; Marine Science and Technology; Life Sciences (including Biotechnology, Agriculture and Biomedical Sciences); Energy Research; Water Technologies; Disaster Management; Space Sciences, Technology and Applications; Geospatial Information and Applied Chemistry have been identified as potential areas for immediate collaboration. The tie-up will help boost bilateral trade that was recorded at US$20.4 billion during fiscal 2017-18.

Meanwhile, the latest deal between India and Indonesia on health cooperation covers the following areas of cooperation: (i) Research and development, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and IT-based medical equipment; (ii) Human Resource Development; and (iii) Health services. A working group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this agreement. In May 2018, India had entered into another agreement with Indonesia in relation to cooperation in development of pharmaceutical products, pharmaceutical substances, biological product and cosmetics regulations, to help exchange of information related to regulation.

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