New Delhi: India and Nepal have taken a major step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology (S&T) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). The agreement was formalized on 18th February 2025 at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, marking a new era in Indo-Nepal scientific collaboration.
The MoU was signed and exchanged by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor of NAST. The agreement provides a broad framework to enhance scientific engagement and facilitate joint research and technological development between the two nations.
Reviving a Longstanding Scientific Partnership
CSIR and NAST have a history of collaboration dating back to 1994, when an initial agreement was signed to promote joint research and technological development. This partnership led to the signing of two Working Programmes in 1997 and 2002, which facilitated the organization of joint workshops and training programs. The newly signed MoU seeks to revive and expand this cooperation, with a focus on modern scientific advancements and knowledge sharing.
Expanding Collaboration Across Key Scientific Fields
The renewed partnership will be implemented through various collaborative activities, including:
- Exchange of scientific information, research materials, and scientists
- Joint organization of S&T seminars, workshops, and training programs
- Execution of joint research projects
- Access to major research facilities in both countries
- Technology partnerships and institutional twinning for capacity development
The cooperation will cover a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biological sciences, food science and technology, water and environmental technologies, metallurgy, nanotechnology, alternative energy, polymer sciences, fuel and mining sciences, and drug discovery.
High-Level Discussions on Strengthening Indo-Nepal S&T Cooperation
The MoU signing was accompanied by an apex-level meeting, attended by senior representatives from CSIR, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and NAST. Discussions focused on identifying effective modes of collaboration and priority research areas.
Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR, emphasized CSIR’s commitment to deepening its technology and capacity-building partnerships with Nepal. She highlighted the immense potential for collaborative research in multiple sectors and stressed the importance of swift implementation of the MoU through a structured and targeted approach.
Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST, reaffirmed Nepal’s strong interest in scientific collaboration with India, stating that the MoU would lay the foundation for a strengthened and enduring S&T relationship between the two nations. He proposed the formation of subject-specific working groups to facilitate structured collaboration in key research areas.
A New Era of Indo-Nepal Scientific Collaboration
With the exchange of this MoU, CSIR and NAST have reaffirmed their shared vision of leveraging scientific and technological advancements to drive innovation, progress, and economic growth. The agreement not only strengthens existing ties but also opens new avenues for joint research, knowledge exchange, and technological cooperation between India and Nepal.
This milestone marks a significant step in fostering regional scientific collaboration and further solidifies the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of science and technology.
