India and the UK to jointly create India-UK 'NET Zero' Innovation Virtual Centre, announces Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

India and the UK will together jointly create India-UK "Net Zero" Innovation Virtual Centre.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, made this announcement while presiding over the India-UK Science & Innovation Council meeting in the presence of his British counterpart, UK Minister Mr. George Freeman. He added that under Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, India is quickly becoming an economic powerhouse.

The two leaders called for enhanced science and technology cooperation between India and the UK.

Dr. Jitendra Singh remarked that India is determined to achieve its climate change end environmental targets on time. He highlighted how the ambitious "Roadmap 2030" that provides a framework for UK-India relations across health, climate, commerce, education, research and technology, and defence has increased the close cooperation between the two nations. The India-UK Science & Technology (S&T) collaboration has been growing at a rapid pace and the joint research programme has gone from an almost zero base to close to US$ 373.48-497.97 million (£300-400 million) now, he said.

The India-UK ‘Net Zero’ Innovation Virtual Centre will provide a platform to bring stakeholders from both countries together to work in some of the focus areas including decarbonization of the manufacturing processes, transport systems and green hydrogen as renewable source. The India-UK memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed will provide a great mechanism to support research and innovation in both countries for long-term sustainable growth through expanding and maximising cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Further, he mentioned India’s commitment towards environmental goals which includes consistent efforts towards the development of mitigation & monitoring solutions for environmental pollution.

Both leaders called for new collaborations for joint research and development (R&D) projects between BBSRC- DBT in the area of Farmed Animal disease and Health & MOES-NERC Call in the area of Solid Earth hazards.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also invited the UK minister Mr. George Freeman to the G20 Research Ministers meeting in Mumbai to be held on July 6, 2023.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.