Dr. Jitendra Singh meet with Italy’s Minister Ms. Anna Maria Bernini

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, held a bilateral meeting with Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, to strengthen the longstanding India-Italy scientific partnership and take forward joint research and innovation initiatives under the bilateral Science & Technology cooperation framework.

The discussions focused on translating the India-Italy Strategic Partnership into practical scientific collaboration, strengthening institutional mechanisms and exploring new opportunities for joint research in emerging and priority technology areas.

Highlighting the longstanding foundation of bilateral scientific cooperation, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that the first Inter-governmental Agreement in Science & Technology between India and Italy was signed in 1978 and subsequently renewed on November 28, 2003.

As a follow-up to the Joint Strategic Action Plan, an Italian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Antonio Tajani, along with Minister of University and Research Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, visited New Delhi in April 2025. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research (MUR), marking an important step towards strengthening bilateral scientific cooperation.

Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged the ongoing efforts by both sides to translate the shared cooperation framework into concrete joint initiatives. He particularly highlighted the role of the India-Italy Joint Scientific Council (IIJSC), which is responsible for the implementation and pursuit of cooperation activities under the Memorandum of Understanding.(UPDATED ON 13TH NOVEMBER 2026)