The meeting was co-chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation. Discussions focused on strengthening India-EU research collaborations and fostering innovation in clean energy, water, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate change research.

High-Level Participation from India and the EU The meeting witnessed the presence of prominent officials from both India and the EU:

???? Indian Delegation:

Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Scientist ‘H’, DBT Dr. Monoranjan Mohanty, Adviser, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser Dr. Praveen Kumar S, Head, International Cooperation, DST Dr. Aparna Shukla, Scientist ‘E’, MoES Dr. Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist ‘D’, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser ???? European Delegation:

Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation Ms. Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit, International Cooperation Ms. Sophie Alexandrova, Deputy Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Zaharieva Mr. Ivan Dimov, Member of Cabinet to Commissioner Zaharieva Mr. Pierrick Fillon-Ashida, First Counsellor & Head of Research & Innovation Section, EU Delegation to India Dr. Vivek Dham, Policy Officer, Research & Innovation Section, EU Delegation to India Extending the India-EU Science & Technology Agreement Both sides acknowledged the long-standing India-EU Science & Technology Agreement, originally signed in 2001, and subsequently renewed in 2015 and 2020. The agreement is now set for extension from 2025 to 2030. This collaboration has been instrumental in:

? Water resource management ? Smart grids and clean energy solutions ? Vaccine development ? Climate change and polar research ? Wastewater treatment and deep-sea exploration

India’s Innovation Ecosystem & Future Focus Areas India’s position as the third-largest startup and unicorn hub globally was highlighted as a key driver of the partnership. Discussions also centred on India’s growing expertise in:

Renewable energy Biopharmaceuticals Artificial intelligence Biomanufacturing & biotechnology Looking ahead, both sides identified potential areas for future cooperation, including:

"Quantum computing & bioeconomy "Green hydrogen & EV battery technology " Blue economy & sustainable maritime initiatives " High-performance computing & responsible AI

Strengthening Collaboration Through Joint Initiatives The meeting underscored the importance of:

" Joint funding mechanisms to support collaborative research projects" Enhanced scientific exchange programs for knowledge-sharing ? Public-private partnerships to drive technological advancements

In their concluding remarks, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood and Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva reaffirmed their commitment to deepening India-EU scientific collaboration and leveraging joint expertise to tackle global challenges.

Conclusion: A Roadmap for Stronger Scientific Cooperation The meeting concluded with a networking session, where stakeholders explored practical steps for scaling up joint projects. The India-EU Science & Technology Agreement continues to serve as a cornerstone of this strategic partnership, fostering innovation, research excellence, and shared economic and technological benefits.

As India and the EU strengthen their collaboration, this partnership is poised to drive cutting-edge innovations, enhance sustainability efforts, and pave the way for transformative technological advancements in the coming years.