STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: “Last 10 years have witnessed manifold rise in Indo-German collaboration”. This was the instant response of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh when Federal Minister of Education and Research of Germany, Bettina Stark-Watzinger congratulated him on the Golden Jubilee celebration of Indo-German collaboration in Science & Technology.
The very first engagement of the German Minister who arrived at the national capital this morning was a high-level delegation meeting with India’s Science Minister.
India and Germany commemorated 50 years of successful collaboration in science and technology at a landmark event attended by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and Federal Minister of Education and Research of Germany, Bettina Stark-Watzinger. The Golden Jubilee celebration, held in New Delhi, reflected on the remarkable advancements achieved through this long-standing partnership and set the stage for deeper cooperation in the coming decades.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the Indo-German partnership in science and technology has grown significantly over the past decade, contributing to both nations’ progress in various scientific fields. “This is a golden jubilee of a golden collaboration,” the Minister remarked. “What began 50 years ago has transformed into a robust, multi-faceted relationship that has touched almost every aspect of science and technology, from space exploration to biotechnology, and from climate action to artificial intelligence.”
Highlighting India’s remarkable strides under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed to India’s rise as a global leader in space technology. “India’s space journey has seen a quantum leap, culminating in our Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the first country to land on the southern pole of the moon,” he said. “This milestone, coupled with the opening of the space sector to private players, showcases India’s commitment to embracing the future of space exploration.”
Federal Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger expressed Germany’s deep appreciation for the collaborative spirit between the two nations. She praised India’s recent advancements in space and technology, especially its successful moon landing, and emphasized the need for continued partnership in tackling global challenges. “We need moonshot ambition,” Stark-Watzinger said. “India has already shown its capability by landing on the moon and launching a probe to the sun. We have every reason to celebrate not just the past but also to look forward to future milestones in our cooperation.”
Stark-Watzinger also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing critical global issues such as energy, food security, and healthcare. “A world where there are no worries about energy, where food supply is secured, and where healthcare is enhanced through state-of-the-art technologies is within our reach. Through science and technology, together we can make the world a better place,” she remarked, reinforcing the significance of deepening ties between India and Germany for the benefit of humanity.
The event also marked the successful establishment of the International Research Training Group, a joint initiative between India and Germany focusing on photoluminescence in supra-molecular matrices. During the event, three significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to further strengthen Indo-German collaboration in science and technology. The first MoU, a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI), was signed between Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), and Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee, President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). This agreement aims to enhance innovation and incubation ecosystems through an exchange programme, fostering knowledge sharing between policymakers, startup incubation professionals, and deep-tech startups from both countries. Dr. Jitendra Singh and Bettina Stark-Watzinger witnessed the signing, reaffirming the commitment to leveraging collective expertise for scientific advancements.