India and Italy Sign MoU to Deepen Scientific Cooperation in Quantum Technologies, AI, and Biotechnology

New Delhi: In a significant move to enhance bilateral scientific collaboration, India and Italy on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance joint research in emerging and transformative technologies. The agreement was formalized during a high-level meeting between Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, and Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, Italy’s Minister of University and Research, who is currently on an official visit to India.

Held at North Block, the meeting marked a new chapter in Indo-Italian relations in the field of science and technology. Central to the dialogue was the implementation of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, as outlined during bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil. The plan envisions collaborative innovation across frontier sectors including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digitalization.

As part of this shared vision, the two ministers signed an Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) for 2025–2027, reaffirming both countries’ long-standing commitment to scientific research. Under this programme, India and Italy will jointly fund ten research mobility proposals and ten significant collaborative projects spanning various disciplines. Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that over 150 joint research projects have already been successfully implemented under previous collaborations.

During the meeting, Dr. Singh highlighted India’s rapid progress in emerging technologies, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, big data, and biotechnology. He cited key scientific achievements, including India’s development of the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which was gifted to several countries in need, the indigenous launch of the HPV vaccine and Nafithromycin (an antibiotic for respiratory infections), and the country’s first successful gene therapy trial. He also mentioned the establishment of a national genome data bank to support personalized medicine and public health research.

India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, now the third largest in the world, was also a point of pride, especially the contributions made by agro-biotech startups. Dr. Singh referred to initiatives like the Aroma Mission, also known as the Purple Revolution, as prime examples of agricultural and floricultural innovation driven by science and entrepreneurship. He also outlined the impact of technology-led schemes such as the Soil Health Card and the Swamitva Yojana, which are revolutionizing Indian agriculture through the use of drone and GIS-based technologies.

Reflecting on India’s efforts to combine traditional knowledge with modern innovation, Dr. Singh spoke about the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a unique platform that digitizes and safeguards India’s ancient medicinal and cultural knowledge using cutting-edge digital tools.

As the Minister of Earth Sciences, Dr. Singh also briefed the visiting delegation about India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission, aimed at sending an Indian submersible 6,000 meters deep into the ocean. He announced that the first trial dive, targeting a depth of 500 meters, is scheduled to begin next year.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in areas such as infectious disease research, quantum technologies, green hydrogen, renewable energy, cultural heritage preservation, and the sustainable blue economy. They also agreed to explore new domains of partnership, including Industry 4.0 and clean energy solutions.