India and Italy are set to strengthen their scientific and technical partnership. Both countries have proposed a new joint research call for 2027, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, clean energy, advanced biotechnology and biomedical research.
During his official visit to Italy from November 11 to 15, 2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, held a bilateral meeting with Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, during which this proposed initiative was discussed.
Dr. Singh stated that the first inter-governmental agreement on science and technology between the two countries was signed in 1978 and renewed in 2003. More than 150 joint projects have been implemented under the ‘Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation’ (EPOC). The current EPOC for 2025-27, signed on April 10, 2025, provides for joint funding of 10 researcher mobility proposals and 10 significant research proposals.
The primary focus of the discussions was to expand joint research, strengthen institutional cooperation and translate the India-Italy strategic partnership into practical scientific initiatives.
India and Italy elevated their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2023, and in November 2024, they adopted a Joint Strategic Action Plan for the 2025–2029 period. An MoU was signed in April 2025 between India’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research to further strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation.
The Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026 is bringing together researchers, academic institutions, research organizations and technology incubators to explore new areas of collaboration. The proposed 2027 joint research programme will focus on AI, High-Performance Computing and Big Data, hydrogen, renewable energy, clean technologies, and advanced biotechnology, including gene therapy, mRNA technologies and biomanufacturing.
Both sides also emphasized the role of the India-Italy Joint Scientific Council in implementing the bilateral cooperation framework. Dr. Singh assured full support from the Indian side for advancing mutually agreed-upon research projects and strengthening scientific and innovation ties between the two countries.
(PIB)
