Report on Bilateral ICT Funding between India& 27 EU Member States by Maria Toth

SYNCHRONISER Synchronizing the Research Policy Dialogue to the Indian Dimension

Report on Bilateral ICT Funding between India & 27 EU Member States

Supported by the European Commission http://www.synchroniser.org/

SYNCHRONISER Synchronising the Research Policy Dialogue to the Indian Dimension

Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................. 4 2. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 3. INDIA-AUSTRIA ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 INDIA-AUSTRIA SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGICAL CO-OPERATION ..................................................................................... 6 3.2 ICT COOPERATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 4. INDIA-BELGIUM .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.1 ICT COOPERATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 5. INDIA-BULGARIA........................................................................................................................................................ 9 5.1 INDO-BULGARIAN BILATERAL SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION ............................................................................................ 9 5.2 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR COOPERATION IN ICT .............................................................................. 10 6. INDIA-CYPRUS ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 6.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................... 11 7. INDIA-CZECH REPUBLIC ....................................................................................................................................... 12 7.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................... 12 8. INDIA-DENMARK ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 8.1 PRIORITIES FOR STRENGTHENED DANISH-INDIAN COOPERATION .............................................................................. 13 8.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................... 13 9. INDIA-ESTONIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 15 9.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................... 15 10. INDIA-FINLAND ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 10.1 INDIA-FINLAND AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ........................................................ 16 10.2 FINLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP FORUM ........................................................................................................ 16 10.3 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 16 11. INDIA-FRANCE......................................................................................................................................................... 17 11.1 PROGRAMME OF COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.............................................................................. 17 11.2 INDO-FRENCH CENTRE FOR PROMOTION OF ADVANCED RESEARCH (IFCPAR) ...................................................... 17 11.3 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 18 12. INDIA-GERMANY .................................................................................................................................................... 18 12.1 CSIR-FZJ COOPERATION SCIENCE PROGRAMME .................................................................................................... 19 12.2 INDO-GERMAN S&T CENTRE.................................................................................................................................. 19 12.3 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 19 13. INDIA-GREECE ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 13.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 21 14. INDIA-HUNGARY..................................................................................................................................................... 22 14.1 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ....................................................................................................................................... 22 14.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 23 15. INDIA-IRELAND....................................................................................................................................................... 24 15.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 25 16. INDIA-ITALY ............................................................................................................................................................. 26 16.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 26

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17. INDIA-LATVIA .......................................................................................................................................................... 28 17.1 INDO-LATVIAN BILATERAL RELATIONS ................................................................................................................... 28 17.2 INDO-LATVIAN ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS ..................................................................................... 28 17.3 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 29 18. INDIA-LITHUANIA .................................................................................................................................................. 30 18.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 30 19. INDIA-LUXEMBOURG............................................................................................................................................ 31 19.1 BILATERAL INVESTMENT......................................................................................................................................... 31 19.2 INDIAN BUSINESS CHAMBER OF LUXEMBOURG (IBCL).......................................................................................... 31 19.3. ICT COOPERATION ................................................................................................................................................. 31 20. INDIA-MALTA ........................................................................................................................................................... 32 20.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 32 21. INDIA-NETHERLANDS ........................................................................................................................................... 33 21.1 INDIAN INDUSTRY INVESTMENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS ......................................................................................... 33 21.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 34 22. INDIA-POLAND ........................................................................................................................................................ 35 22.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 35 23. INDIA-PORTUGAL................................................................................................................................................... 36 23.1 INDO-PORTUGUESE PROGRAMME OF COOPERATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY .................................................. 36 24. INDIA-ROMANIA ..................................................................................................................................................... 37 24.1 INDO-ROMANIAN BILATERAL SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION ........................................................................................ 37 24.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 37 25. INDIA-SLOVAKIA .................................................................................................................................................... 38 25.1 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 38 26. INDIA-SLOVENIA .................................................................................................................................................... 39 26.1 INDIA–SLOVENIA S&T PROGRAMME ...................................................................................................................... 39 26.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 39 27. INDIA-SPAIN.............................................................................................................................................................. 40 27.1 THE INDO-SPANISH JOINT PROGRAMME OF COOPERATION IN S&T......................................................................... 40 27.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 40 28. INDIA-SWEDEN ........................................................................................................................................................ 41 28.1 SWEDISH RESEARCH LINKS PROGRAMME ............................................................................................................... 41 28.2 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 42 29. INDIA-UNITED KINGDOM .................................................................................................................................... 43 29.1 UK OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION (OSI)..................................................................................................... 43 29.2 THE UK SCIENCE AND INNOVATION NETWORK ....................................................................................................... 43 29.3 RESEARCH COUNCILS UK OFFICE IN INDIA ............................................................................................................ 44 29.4 INDO-UK S&T COOPERATION................................................................................................................................. 45 29.5 ICT COOPERATION .................................................................................................................................................. 45 30. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................ 46 31. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................... 48

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1. Executive Summary This deliverable focuses on the already existing co-funding initiatives between EU and India in the ICT sector. This will be considered and brainstormed by the SSC during their Think Tank meetings. The same report will also be used as a subject of discussion during the interviews using the Delphi Technique and intervieweeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinions will be taken into consideration to define and propose cofunding initiatives. The deliverable intends to analyze the existing Bilateral ICT Programmes between India and the 27 EU Member States, viz. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom. This task has been planned in order to understand the areas of cooperation that each EU Member State holds with India, the framework & mechanism of existing co-funding with a view to discover best practices, understand and compare the EU-India policy level differences, similarities and challenges with that of bilateral programmes and policy framework, and provide input for the project Steering Committee discussions in order to enhance co-funding opportunities between the EU and India.

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2. Introduction Initiated in mid-1980, the India â&#x20AC;&#x201C; EU S&T cooperation agreement signed by the Directorate General for Research of European Commission and by the Department of Science and Technology of Indian Government came into force on 23rd November 2001. Science and Technology EU-India cooperation enhanced important research communities from both the private and public sectors between India and Europe. It provided a common platform for establishing contacts as well as a network between EU and Indian researchers, scientists and innovators. This network facilitated the creation of a similar area of interests and encouraged the advancement of cooperative projects. EU-India Co-operation in Science and Technology (S&T) reached a major new milestone with the first ever India-EU Ministerial Conference on Science, in New Delhi on 7th and 8th February 2007. The SYCHRONISER consortium is proposing a well-founded research accompanying measure in support of the policy dialogue in the field of ICT between the EU and India. SYNCHRONISER intends to take a consultation and consensus building approach by bringing together researchers and stakeholders from both regions under a common platform. Taking into consideration the comprehensive objective of strengthening the international dimension of the EU-India ICT research programmes, SYNCHRONISER has developed specific objectives, which will be achieved through tangible measures. One of the specific objectives is to identify matching co-funding opportunities that will leverage the already existing opportunities for collaboration. The analysis will focus on Bilateral ICT Programmes between India and the 27 EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

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3. India-Austria Bilateral trade between India and Austria is presently of the order of over â&#x201A;Ź175 million and since 1991 more than 200 foreign collaboration and joint ventures between India and Austria have been approved. These cover sectors such as electrical equipment, paper & pulp, chemicals, industrial machinery, metallurgy and transportation. 4 new S&T Cooperation Agreement were signed with Austria and EU at New Delhi in November 2007.

3.1 India-Austria Scientific technological co-operation The programme for Scientific and Technological Co-operation is supported by the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF) on the Austrian part and by the Indian Department of Science & Technology (DST) of Ministry of Science & Technology on the Indian part. The aim is to intensify the scientific co-operation between the two countries through promotion and support of mobility of scientists in the framework of bilateral scientific co-operation projects. Under the framework of this Programme, joint research project proposals between Indian and Austrian scientists/researchers are invited. Areas of cooperation are all fields of natural/engineering sciences and technology (except social and behavioral sciences). Type of Funding Available No special funding is available for carrying out the projects under this programme. It is expected that basic funding for expenditure (project manpower, equipment, consumables etc.) is already available with the project implementing Scientists/Institutions from existing sources. Only exchange visits of project team members are supported under the programme. In Austria, travel cost of Austrian scientists are covered by the home country, living cost of Indian scientists are covered by the host country. On Austrian side each project can apply for max. â&#x201A;Ź3,000/per year. In India, travel costs of Indian scientists and living costs of Austrian scientists are covered by the home country.

3.2 ICT Cooperation India and Austria do not have a specific agreement on ICT Cooperation. Some ICT projects are however covered under the Scientific and Technological Cooperation joint programme between Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF), Austria.

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4. India-Belgium Diplomatic relations between India and Belgium were established in 1948. Belgium is the third largest trading partner of India in the European Union, after Germany and UK, with annual bilateral trade turnover of little over Euro 8.8 billion in 2008. A Belgian satellite was launched by India in 2001. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in space technology was signed between the two sides in November 1998. India is participating in the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Galileo Project where Belgian companies are also involved. Under the framework agreement for cooperation in Science and Technology, the two sides agreed to cooperate in the areas of Nano Science and Technology, Life Science, Health care and Agro Bio-Tech, new energy resources & clear energy, astronomy & astro-physics, environment & global change, transfer of technology & innovations, mobility of researchers & innovators. A framework agreement for cooperation in Science and Technology was signed during the visit of Belgian PM to India in November 2006. During the time, India also signed its first bilateral agreement on social security with Belgium. The 11th round of Economic JCM between India and BLEU (Belgium- Luxembourg Economic Union) was held in Brussels on May 4-5, 2009. During the two days meeting, the two sides, besides reviewing the ongoing cooperation also discussed several issues such as economic cooperation in the fields of transport, iron and steel, diamonds trade, phytosanitary, tourism, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, ICT, aeronautics; investment and market access matters; cooperation in the financial sectors; cooperation in the areas of science and technology; bilateral social security agreement; Consular matters etc. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the recent economic developments in India, Belgium and Luxembourg particularly the impact of the international financial crisis and the measures taken by the respective governments in order to counter the negative impact of it. The two sides also evaluated the current level of bilateral trade between India and Belgium & India and Luxembourg. India and Belgium set a target of annual bilateral trade amounting Euro 12 billion to be achieved by 2012 from current level of 8.6 billion Euros. Further, views were exchanged on the EU-India Summit in Brussels in 2010; the ASEM Summit in Brussels in 2010; and on the positions of Belgium, India and Luxembourg in the framework of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA1). The Belgian side proposed visit of an Economic Mission to be led by HRH Prince Philippe to India in March 2010 during the JCM. The agreed minutes were signed on the conclusion of two days meeting. It was agreed that the 12th round of JCM will be held in New Delhi in 2011.

The Doha Development Agenda (DDA) is the current trade-negotiation round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which commenced in November 2001. Its objective is to lower trade barriers around the world, which allows countries to increase trade globally. Under the framework, organizations are able to enter into partnerships.

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4.1 ICT Cooperation International Cooperation between India and Belgium is an example, where bilateral relationships are being established between private companies, while the Governments on both sides act only as facilitators without entering into agreements. This also includes ICT in a big way. Consequently, four Indian and four Belgian firms have entered into partnerships in technology and aerospace sectors to boost trade and economic ties between the two countries. About 150 Belgian enterprises are present in India, while leading Indian firms, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL, NIIT, Jet Airways, Jubilant Organosys, Crompton Greaves and Raymond are present in Belgium. Total bilateral import and export exceeded €8.7 billion in 2008. In March 2010, ten agreements were signed between Belgian and Indian companies in the framework of the visit of a 340 strong economic mission to India, presided over by HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium and led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr. Steven Vanackere, on an official visit on the invitation of the Vice President of India, HE Mr. Hamid Ansari. Following are the agreements signed: • • • • • • • • •

Tractebel Engineering with GAIL India Eurostation and Immo Star Ltd with RITES Dredging International (International Seaports Dredging Ltd) with Kakinada Seaports Ltd Sarens with Larsen and Toubro Ltd. Soudal with McCoy Silicones ZingaMetall and John Galt with Vestas Hose Division Pvt. Ltd. Belgium Luxembourg Business Association (BLBA), established in New Delhi with BelgoIndian Chamber of Commerce industry (BICCI) with its base in Brussels AWEX will sign a letter of Intent with New Ventures India and one with the Foundation of Innovation and Technology Transfer of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Port of Antwerp and Port of Mumbai

BTR Services, Vasco Data Security and KBC ITC signed an agreement with Oracle financial Services to launch Software as a Service (SaaS) platform offering banking back-office services. BTR is a Belgian firm in ITC (Information Technology and Communications) services for the banking sector. Vasco Data Security is also a Belgian firm in the internet security. KBC ITC is the ITC department of the Belgian bank KBC. Oracle Financial Services is a joint venture between Oracle Corporation and the Indian division of the erstwhile i-flex solutions. Similarly Sabca, a Belgian aerospace firm and Quest, a leading Indian provider of engineering consultancy services entered into a partnership to provide surface treatments to the aerospace manufacturing industry. The Bangalore-based Quest has a joint venture with Magellan Aerospace Corporation of Belgium to manufacture and assemble subsystems for Airbus aircraft projects. Orban Microwaves Products based at Leuven in Belgium entered into a strategic partnership with Kavveri Telecom Products Ltd., Bangalore to design, manufacture and market its RF (Radio Frequency) and microwave subsystems and antennas in the Indian market.

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5. India-Bulgaria Bulgaria and India have enjoyed traditionally close and friendly bilateral relations. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 22.12.1954. Since then, high level contacts have been maintained between the two countries - the President of Bulgaria visited India in 1976 and 1983; and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria visited India in 1969 and 1974. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Georgi Parvanov, the President of the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam paid a state visit to the Republic of Bulgaria on 22-24 October 2003.

5.1 Indo-Bulgarian bilateral scientific cooperation With a view to intensifying interaction and the scientific cooperation between Indian and Bulgarian Scientists/Institutions, Department of Science and Technology (DST) of India and the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) of Bulgaria extend support for joint research projects involving exchange of visits under the Indo-Bulgarian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation programme with special emphasis on further academic training and specialization of scientists/scholars. Faculty, Scientists and Academicians belonging to Universities, Deemed Universities and Research Institutes having permanent positions can apply as Principal Investigator (PI). In order to qualify for such funding, investigators are required to have a concrete and sound research proposal on any of the following areas: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Information Technology Metal Sciences and New Materials Nano-materials High Energy Physics Satellite Technology Alternate Renewable Energy Sources, including Solar Energy Geophysical Instrumentation and Earthquake Engineering including its forecasting Food Technology Biotechnology (including gene-biotechnology) Medicine (especially, Traditional Medicines based on herbs) Laser Science and Technology Astronomy Ocean Science and Technology

Grants are offered only towards travel and living costs, (normally up to 2 visits per year from each side) within the framework of well-defined and approved Indo-Bulgarian research projects. The sending side shall cover the expenses on international travel (including overseas medical insurance) up to the capital city/city of arrival in the host side both ways. The receiving side shall arrange the incountry travel of the visiting scientists from the capital city/city of arrival to the place of the institute to be visited by appropriate means and living expenses. All other expenses for the projects have to be supported by the respective institute from existing funds. The mutual visits of the scientists must be balanced in number (upto 6 visits from each side spread over entire duration of the 3 year project) and should in general, be only for a short duration

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of time. Each participant from either side would be allowed to avail only one visit per year of the project. Project Duration Support to the project will be granted for a maximum duration of 3 years. The sanctioned visits (i.e. maximum 6 from each side) will have to be completed within the duration of the 3 years. Request for extension of the project shall not be considered.

5.2 Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in ICT In May 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding for ICT was signed between the State Agency for IT and Communications of Bulgaria and the Ministry for Communications and IT of India for ICT Research, establishment of Technology Parks and facilitation of cooperation of private businesses. Areas of Common Interest: • • • • • • • • •

Software & hardware industries ICT application e-governance e-commerce e-business Capacity Building & HRD STPs SMEs Joint Research Projects

Joint Working Group The third meeting of the India-Bulgaria Joint Forum on ICT was held in October 2007 in New Delhi: e-Governance, Technology Park, ICT Education, R&D and Info Security were identified as areas for strengthening of cooperation in ICT. Further developments are yet to take shape under the agreement.

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6. India-Cyprus Relations between India and Cyprus have been traditionally very close and friendly. Archbishop Makarios had the highest respect for Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and was deeply appreciative of the support rendered by India to the struggle of Cyprus against British colonial rule. India has strongly supported the cause of safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus. The third session of the Indo-Cyprus Joint Economic Committee was held in Nicosia in September 1998. A MoU between the National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI) of India and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry for exchange of information on electronic media, country and product profile, trade statistics, import tariffs, import/export policy was also finalized on this occasion. On October 30th 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Cyprus for solar energy cooperation. It was signed between Cyprus based Indian companies NORASCO Limited Cyprus, Upturn Trading Limited, Case Neuberg Solutions and Photovolataic Technology Group of University of Cyprus. Cyprus is the leading European country in the field of research and implementation in solar power. Addressing business leaders from Cyprus and India at the Cyprus Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, President of India appealed Cyprus companies to participate in business projects individually or in joint ventures with Indian firms.

6.1 ICT Cooperation The Director General of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) made a presentation on “Exploring Opportunities for the Cooperation in the IT Sector between India and Cyprus” on 8th January, 2004 in Cyprus. With the Government of Cyprus evincing keen interest in establishing a Software Technology Park in Ivory Coast, STPI prepared and submitted a pre-feasibility study on setting up a state-of-the-art Software Technology Park at Cyprus. International Cooperation between Cyprus and India is also covered under the ITEC2 (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) programme.

ITEC" was launched in 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India. Under ITEC and its corollary SCAAP (Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Programme), 156 countries in Asia, East Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America are invited to share in the Indian Developmental experience acquired over five decades of India’s existence as a free Nation. ITEC is about cooperation and partnership for mutual benefit. It is response oriented and it addresses the needs of developing countries.

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7. India-Czech Republic India has friendly, cordial and cooperative relations with the Czech Republic. The relationship covers political, economic and commercial fields as well as cooperation in technology and culture exchanges. A regular exchange of views between India and the Czech Republic has been maintained on bilateral as well as global issues. This dialogue is sustained through visits at the Ministerial levels as well as the mechanism of Foreign Office Consultations. High-level visits have also been exchanged between the two countries. The President of the Senate of the Czech Republic visited India in December 2007. The Czech President Vaclav Klaus paid a State visit to India in November 2005. Bilateral trade between India and the Czech Republic is a little over US$ 1 billion. Two-way investments by companies have also been made. Czech investments in India are in automobile and power sectors, whereas from India, companies from automobiles and IT sectors have made investments in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has a strong tradition in science and technology as well as in engineering, and Indian and Czech institutions are exploring possibilities of cooperation in these areas. The Indian Vice President, Hamid Ansari visited Czech Republic in June 2010. The Vice Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the Czech Republic was the first visit from India at a VVIP level, after the visit of President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma to that country in 1996. Three agreements related to Economic Cooperation, Social Security, and a Protocol on Amending the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, were signed during his visit to the Czech Republic.

7.1 ICT Cooperation There are several instances, where bilateral relationships are being established between private companies while the Governments on both sides act only as facilitators without themselves entering into agreements. Consequently, quite a few Indian ICT companies are looking seriously at the Czech Republic for bilateral trade relationships. Some have already ventured into their area of operations. TCS has a development center in Hungary, while Pune based Synygy, has one in Bucharest and one in Rumania. Bangalore based Progeon also has set up a centre in Brno.

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8. India-Denmark During the last decade, the Danish Government encouraged direct investments into India through institutional support programmes operated by the DANIDA development agency functioning under the auspices of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Danish Industrialization fund for Developing Countries (IFU). With the strengthening of the Indian economy, the Danish development aid received by India has been phased out over the last couple of years. India has also repaid all its sovereign debt to Denmark, which was around DKK 528 (€70.99) million. Denmark ranks as the 19th largest foreign investor in India, ahead of countries such as Spain, Canada, Russia, Ireland, and Austria. By end December 2006, total direct Danish investment inflows received by India since 1991 had reached an amount of approximately US $ 162 (€135.66) Million.

8.1 Priorities for strengthened Danish-Indian cooperation As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the partnership between Denmark and India will focuses on six major areas: • • • • • •

Political dialogue Trade and investments Research, Science and Technology Energy, Environment and Climate Education, Cooperation between peoples and culture Attracting foreign labour

A Joint Commission at Foreign Minister Level will be established in order to facilitate strengthened partnership and further the political dialogue between India and Denmark. The Joint Commission is to create the framework for a number of cooperation fora between Danish and Indian authorities in such areas as political dialogue, trade and investments, shipping, research and development, and education and culture. The Joint Commission is an expression of the mutual desire to re-define the partnership and strengthen the economic and political ties following the termination of Danish development cooperation. The general development and coordination of the cooperation will thus be undertaken through the Joint Commission. The further concrete development of the cooperation will take place between the relevant line ministries and other partners on both sides and will include the setting up of professional and sector-specific fora. Professional cooperation has already been initiated in the biotech area under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and ICT cooperation is being negotiated. Other obvious fields of cooperation are shipping, environment and energy, and education and culture.

8.2 ICT Cooperation Denmark strives to concentrate on close cooperation with India in the area of ICT. In this connection, the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation, Denmark has entered into dialogue with the Indian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology concerning the launching of an operationally oriented process to identify cooperation possibilities between Denmark and India regarding ICT. Formal agreement(s) are expected to follow soon after identification of key areas and formalization of the scope of cooperation.

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If ICT collaboration should start up, the following elements could be included: • • • • •

• •

Signing a Danish-Indian framework agreement/MoU concerning ICT cooperation. Identification of possibilities for cooperation in the field of ICT. Collecting experience from Danish-Indian collaboration projects concerning IT outsourcing. Danish-Indian matchmaking arrangements that can strengthen the business relations between Danish and Indian biotech and ICT companies. A Joint ScoutIndia initiative which supports the possibility for researchers to visit universities and research institutions with a view to sourcing out future cooperation partners and possibilities. Establishing joint workshops and seminars with a view to supporting research collaboration, knowledge sharing and transfer of technology. Discussions between Danish and Indian education and research institutions concerning the possibility of establishing mutual exchange programmes for students, PhD students and postdocs.

Indian companies are increasingly being attracted to Denmark. Some of the leading Indian companies, namely, L&T Infotech, Tata Consultancy (TCS), Suzlon Energy Ltd., and Reliance Industries have their offices and operations in Denmark. Although many Danish companies initially entered India to tap into the Indian market, they are now increasingly moving to outsourcing. At this time, India has become virtually synonymous with outsourcing with foreign investors tapping India for software development and business process outsourcing. Danfoss, Danisco, Grundfos, Maersk, and Vestas are some of the leading Danish companies’ active on the Indian market. During the visit of the Danish Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Helge Sander to India in October 2004, the countries signed a MoU for bilateral cooperation within the area of Biotechnology including stem cell research and diabetes treatment. A close collaboration between the Center for TeleInFrastruktur (CTIF) at Aalborg University in northern Jutland and associated research environments in India has led to an agreement on placements of research students from India in Aalborg. It is planned that 20 PhD students from India, each year can take some of their studies at CTIF.

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9. India-Estonia Estonia and India have several agreements on co-operations on subjects varying from Science and Technology to Culture, Education, Science, Sports, Arts, Mass Media, Tourism and Youth Affairs. In 1999 India and Estonia signed a joint business council agreement to increase investment and trade between the two countries. On 5th February 1999, Estonian president visited India and signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of science and technology. The Estonian president, Mr Lennart Meri was on a two-day visit to India. The president, K.R. Narayanan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and his cabinet colleagues were present on the occasion. Some of the agreements are mentioned below: • • • • •

Declaration of Principles and Directions of Co-operation between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of India which came into force October 15, 1993 Agreement on Co-operation in the Fields of Science and Technology which came into force on August 6, 1999 Agreement on Co-operation in the Spheres of Culture, Education, Science, Sports, Arts, Mass Media, Tourism and Youth Affairs which came into force November 11, 1999 Agreement on Economic and Technical Co-operation which came into force March 13, 2000 Agreement on Trade and Economic Co-operation which came into force August 24, 2004

In 2007, India was Estonia's 34th import partner and 37th export partner. Imports into Estonia doubled in 2006. The total value of trade between the countries in 2007 was €30.8 Million. While Indian investment in Estonia is small-scale and is in the commercial and food sector, Estonia has no direct investment in India. However, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has expressed desire to improve economic ties and appoint a non-resident ambassador and open its own embassy besides two existing honorary embassies.

9.1 ICT Cooperation Although an agreement for cooperation in Science & Technology with India was signed by the Estonian president in 1999, there has been no significant development after that. There are no other new agreements on cooperation in the field of ICT or Science & Technology between the two countries reported anywhere.

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10. India-Finland 10.1 India-Finland Agreement on Cooperation in Science & Technology India and Finland have signed an Agreement on Cooperation in Science & Technology that provides for a broad based framework of cooperation in the areas of research, development and innovation policies between the two countries with renowned cutting-edge technologies. The agreement was signed by Mr. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Mr. Mauri Pekkarinen, Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs in Helsinki on 25th March, 2008. Bilateral relations with Finland, an important member of the European Union with proven technological capabilities in ICT, Biotechnology, industrial machinery and paper industry, have assumed a dynamic edge following the exchange of Prime Ministerial visits in 2006. The India-EU Summit meeting took place in Helsinki in October 2006 during Finland’s EU Presidency.

10.2 Finland Technology Partnership Forum On 26th November, 2009 during 15th Technology Summit and Technology Platform (India-Finland Partnership Forum FIND 2009 on 26th and 27th Nov, 2007) the consortium of NITs (Co-NIT) signed MoU with various Universities of Finland (Helsinki University of Technology, University of Oulu, Tampere University of Technology, The University of Tampere and Laurea University of Applied sciences). These MoUs were signed by Her Highness Ms. Terki Hakala, Ambassador, Embassy of Finland in India and Prof. I.K.Bhat, Director NIT (National Institute of Technology) Hamirpur, India. The MoU seeks to facilitate collaborative activities in terms of exchange of faculty and research staff, exchange of students, students training, joint research, exchange of academic information and publication, collaborative financing of projects, etc. It is expected that these collaboration shall provide both signatories immense benefits. Prof. Bhat also assured that an action plan will be soon prepared to give wings to the MoU.

10.3 ICT Cooperation According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, as a result of the agreement on Cooperation in Science & Technology signed between the two countries in 2008, bilateral trade has grown by 20% amounting to €645.08 million with Finnish majors Nokia, Elcoteq, Kone and Wartsila having a strong presence in India. A two-way investment in R&D has added value to the rapidly growing ICT and renewable energy sector. Underlying the successful Finnish collaborations is a supporting programme called ‘FinDiPro’ with funding of €17.5 million, the Finland Distinguished Professor Programme launched by the Academy of Finland and Tekes, aims to attract top scientists from across the world, including India.

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11. India-France Bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the French Republic were established in 1947 and both nations have since established close co-operation in defense and commerce. Both nations have aimed to increase bilateral trade from €6.5 billion to €12 billion by 2012; in 2007, trade expanded by 26%. France and India established a consortium of Indo-French universities to increase educational cooperation - approximately 1,300 Indian students study in France. India and France have also signed agreements on social security for Indians living in France and joint cooperation on space research and technology.

11.1 Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology In order to strengthen collaboration in S&T between India and France, an intergovernmental Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology (PoC) for the period 2003-2005 was signed in March 2003. An Indian delegation led by Secretary DST participated in the 9th Meeting of the Indo-French Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation held at Paris during November, 2003. It was agreed that cooperation in ICT, Nanotechnology, Water, Mathematics, Neuroscience & Biotechnology be given priority.

11.2 Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR) A bilateral organization created by the Government of India and Government of France to promote collaborative research in frontier areas of Science & Technology between the scientists of the two countries. Proposals are accepted in the following programmes: • Collaborative research projects between scientists of India and France • Industrial Research projects with industrial partners • Proposals for holding Indo-French Seminars/Workshops The Scientific Council of IFCPAR held its 31st Meeting at Montpellier, France in May 2003. The Scientific Council of IFCPAR held its 32nd Meeting at Goa during October 2003. The Scientific Council recommended support for 9 projects. The recommended projects are in the areas of Life & Health Sciences, Pure and Applied Physics, Pure and Applied Chemistry and Material Sciences. The Foundation Sophia Antipolis signed a cooperation agreement with Pune Technology Park (India) to promote and further establish bilateral activities in terms of science and industry, and to develop relations between French competitiveness clusters especially the cluster of the Province Alpes-Cte d’Azur region, and the Indian clusters. The agreement also anticipates the exchange of personnel between the two parks, the creation of a summer university, the organization of a seminar on management and innovation covering the topics of intellectual property, technology transfer, and the financing of young innovative companies.

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A Board was put into place to follow the progress of the agreement, composed of representatives of the Pune Park, the Foundation Sophia Antipolis, of the embassies of India in France and France in India, as well as representatives of the French Ministry of Industry, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Science and Technology of the Indian Government. An Indian Delegation visited France in April 2001 to explore the possibility of developing IndoFrench Collaboration in Natural Disaster Management. As a follow-up, the meeting of the Indian Working Group identified two short terms and five long term joint Indo-French Projects on Natural Disaster Management. These include studies on Microzonation, Quantitative Tectonic Geomorphology, Seismic Wave Propagation in Complex Media, Dynamics of Modeling Landslides Debris Flows and Glaciers, Modeling Rupture Processes on Faults and Hypothesis testing of Earthquakes as Self Organized Critical Phenomena as well as Cyclones and a Workshop on Floods. In pursuance of the recommendations made in the Eighth Meeting of the Indo-French Joint Committee on Scientific and Technical Cooperation support has been extended in the current year to Chennai Mathematical Institute, Chennai, to provide for exchange visits of Indian and French mathematicians. An advanced Training School on 'Recent Advances in Climate and Environmental Research (RACER)' was organized at Bangalore in April 2001 with special emphasis on climate change, climate modeling and forecast methodologies. The faculty for this Advanced School comprised of both French and Indian Scientists. C-DOT-Alcatel Research Centre was set up in Chennai in September 2005 to work in WiMax.

11.3 ICT Cooperation The Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India had signed an MoU with Government of France in September 2000 with the following areas of common interest: • • • • • • • • • •

Software development IT enabled services Telemedicine Cyber Education Electronic Commerce Electronic Governance Information Security & Cyber Crime Human Resource Development Research, Design and Development Exploring third country markets

The seventh meeting of the JWG (Joint Working Group) was held in October 2009 at Paris and discussed issues like French experience in broadband and Wimax, Digital economy, Spectrum, Policy for innovation and competitiveness of SME/clusters and E-governance.

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The bilateral relations between India and Germany are marked by rapidly growing economic and trade ties. Germany has extensively supported education and cultural development in India. Germany helped establish the Indian Institute of Technology Madras after both governments signed an agreement in 1956 and increased its cooperation and supply of technology and resources over the decades to help expand the institution. In 2008, both nations established the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre in New Delhi to promote joint research and development in energy, environment, coal and water technologies. Germany is India's largest European trading partner and the 5th largest trade partner. Current trade volume stands at €10.5 billion in 2006, €12.7 billion in 2007-08 and both nations see it increasing to €30 billion by 2010. India and Germany enjoy strong commerce and cooperation in telecommunications, engineering, environmental technology, food processing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

12.1 CSIR-FZJ Cooperation Science programme Under this programme, five projects have been successfully completed. Presently 6 joint projects in the areas of Electronic Science & Engineering, Chemical Sciences (NCL and IICT), Bioactive molecules, Earth Sciences (NGRI) are under implementation. Three more projects have been approved by CSIR and are awaiting approval from Germany. SERC, in collaboration with Central Institute for Applied Mathematics, Germany, has successfully completed a project on development of efficient methodologies and techniques for error analysis, and adaptive refinement of FEM, and implementation of these developments in a parallel computing environment.

12.2 Indo-German S&T Centre An MoU for establishing Indo-German S&T Centre in India was signed in the presence of Prime Minister of India and German Chancellor on October 30, 2007. The MoU was signed by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister for S&T and ES from the Indian side while Dr Annette Schavan, Federal Minister for Education & Research inked the document from German side. The Indo-German Centre would facilitate participation of Industry from both sides in R&D projects. The two sides have committed to allocate 2 million Euro each per year for next 5 years to support public private partnership projects.

12.3 ICT Cooperation The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), Government of Germany as the nodal agencies for implementation of the bilateral Indo-German agreement on “Cooperation in Scientific Research and Technological Development”, signed in 1974, promote and support co-operation between the scientists and institutions of India and Germany. At the implementation level, DST on the Indian side and the International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF at the DLR on behalf of BMBF, coordinate and support the cooperative activities. Identified priority areas •

Nanotechnologies, intelligent materials and new production technology (new production

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• • • •

processes) and other innovative physical and chemical technologies leading to wide technical and commercial utilization Information and Communication Technologies Environmental research and sustainability research Disaster and security research Other promising fields (depending on the total number of applications received)

Joint Research Projects The programme is essentially designed to support the exchange of scientists, technical and academic personnel between the two countries. The sending side covers the travel costs between the places of work in two countries and the receiving side covers the local stay costs. Both partners will contribute products and/or research results to the joint project on a comparable scientific/technological level. On the Indian side, the basic infrastructure to implement the projects is expected to be available with the implementing institution and hence, equipment purchases will not be generally funded. However, in exceptional cases some support for equipment purchase could be considered (For example: in cases where the proposed research is being attempted for the first time in the country or addition of small piece of equipment will highly facilitate the project implementation). Some limited consumables/contingency expenditure up to Rs 2 lac/year could be considered on a case-to-case basis. On the German side, IB will provide only the exchange visit related funding to the German partners. However, IB funding is not available for equipment, manpower, consumables etc. The German Federal President Dr. Horst Koehler visited India in the beginning of February, 2010. An important part of the agenda was the inauguration of the Indo-German Max Planck Centre for Computer Science, together with the Indian S&T Minister Prithiviraj Chavan. Set up jointly by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and the Max Planck Society, Germany, the centre will receive a total funding of around 4 million Euros over the next five years. In February, the 3rd Indo-German Conference on Science for Sustainability was also organised at IIT based on the Joint Declaration on Research Cooperation on Science for Sustainability signed by the then Indian S&T Minister Kapil Sibal and German Minister for Education and Research Annette Schavan in September 2008. The Indo-German Science and Technology Committee Meeting held every 18 months alternately in India and Germany was organised in March 2010 in New Delhi. Both sides were represented by the State Secretaries and their respective delegations comprising of officials and scientists.

13. India-Greece Diplomatic relations between Greece and India were established in May 1950. The new Greek Embassy building in New Delhi was inaugurated on 6 February 2001. In 1996, a Defence Attaches

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office was also opened at the Embassy. The Speaker of the Indian Parliament, Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, carried out an official visit to Greece in September 2006. Also, the President of the Republic of India, Mr. APJ Abdul Kalam made an unofficial visit to Athens in April 2007. The harmonious relations between the two countries as well as their active cooperation have been confirmed, thus helping to forge close friendly ties. In January 2008, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis paid an official visit to India, during which, he met with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, while promoting political, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Petros Doukas and Indian Ambassador Dilip Sinha signed a protocol of exchange of ratification instruments regarding the agreement of scientific and technological cooperation between Greece and India. The agreement forms the basis of trade in the field of research and technology between the two countries authorities. In particular, this cooperation relates to the following sectors: • • • • • • •

Information Technology Nanotechnology Biotechnology Seismology Geodynamics energy and environment technologies Oceanography.

It is based on the principle of mutual benefit and mutual opportunities for access to programmes and activities, according to each country’s current legislation and regulations. This agreement will enable the two countries to implement joint research programmes and projects on technological development. It will also help promote exchanges of scientists, researchers, and experts through the organization of meetings, congresses, seminars, conferences, and exhibitions.

13.1 ICT Cooperation The Department of Science & Technology, Government of India had signed an S&T Cooperation Agreement with the Hellenic Republic (Greece) on 26th April, 2007. Joint programmes and collaborative research projects however, are yet to take off under this umbrella agreement, between the two countries.

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14. India-Hungary India’s relations with Hungary have been close and friendly, multi-faceted and substantive. They have survived the vicissitudes of political and economic changes particularly in Hungary and reorientation of foreign policy in the post-cold war period. Both countries commemorated the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998. Hungary is an important partner in Central Europe for India. Indo-Hungarian relations have always had their own intrinsic logic and raison d’être. Generations of eminent Hungarian Indologists laid the foundations of the great respect and admiration Hungarians have for Indian culture, philosophy, art and intellect. Decades of Indo-Hungarian economic interaction further sustained the relationship. Fruitful scientific and technological interactions created further value. All of this added up to tremendous political goodwill.

14.1 Science & Technology Cooperation in the field of Science & Technology is active with regular exchange of visits; the 7th session of S&T JCM (Joint Committee Meeting) was held in New Delhi in Dec 06. S&T Cooperation is implemented through two Agreements; between the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), and between Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the National Office for Research and Technology [NKTH] Hungarian Ministry of Economy and Transport. There is also an MoU between IIT Mumbai and the premier Hungarian University of Technology, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE) under which joint research activities, exchange of academic staff and post-graduate students and organizations of various seminars and workshops is envisaged. The 7th session of the India-Hungary S&T Committee Meeting in New Delhi on 4 December 2006 had identified 22 bilateral projects in the following areas: • • • • • • •

Life sciences Biotechnology Material science Nanotechnology ICT Health and agriculture Establishment of the India-Hungary Bilateral Strategic Research Fund of Euro 2 million, which would provide a strong impetus to joint S&T projects

Both sides also agreed to identify successful bilateral projects that could be supported under FP7, the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-13) of the EU.A joint statement was issued in January’ 2008 on the occasion of the state visit of His Excellency, Dr. Ferenc Gyurcsany, Prime Minister of Hungary to India. During the visit the following agreements were signed: • • •

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine Agreement for Cooperation in Agriculture, Plant Quarantine and Protection and Animal Husbandry Letter of Intent on the Establishment of an India-Hungary Strategic Research Fund

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• • • •

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between ONGC Videsh and MOL MOU between Bharat Electronics Ltd and M/s Bonn Hungary for Joint Development of Low Noise Amplifiers and Integrated Receivers for 3D Tactical Control Radar MOU between Bharat Electronics Ltd and M/s CARINEX for Joint Development of TDM Analyzer / De-Multiplexer MOU between Bharat Electronics Ltd and M/s ERIDEIL for TOT for Universal Systems for VSAT Signal Monitoring

The bilateral trade between the two countries, though below potential, had virtually doubled between 2005 and 2006. Both sides agreed to work to substantially raise the level of mutual trade in several sectors, including pharmaceuticals, IT, auto-components, power and food processing. Under the educational cooperation for strengthening bonds establishment of a Tagore Research Fellowship at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) and the organization of an International Hindi Conference during 24-26 October in Budapest, a Joint Working Group was established under the Educational Exchange Programme to establish a concrete plan to strengthen such cooperation. A 23-member FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) business delegation led by Mr. K K Modi, Chairman, Modi Enterprises visited Budapest (Hungary) on February 1 and 2, 2010 in a bid to rekindle the deep rooted economic and business ties and raise bilateral trade from USD 1 billion (€0.836890116 billion) by 2012 from around USD 400 million (€331.68 million) now.

14.2 ICT Cooperation The IT sector is a key area for bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. There is no specific MoU between the two countries on cooperation in ICT, but with the Governments of the two countries having assumed the role of facilitators, several IT companies, such as TCS, MahendraSatyam, Genpact and Cognizant (opened a 60-person centre in Budapest in July 2008) have established their operations in Budapest. Indian companies have considerable expertise on egovernance issues and are keen to participate in Hungarian government projects for e-governance that are financed through EU funds. TCS has secured its first ever contact from the Hungarian authorities for HR management of Government Ministries. Together, these companies employ over 1000 Hungarians. Indian IT companies in Hungary benefit from multiple language/computer skills and low wage rates of Hungarians as well as the geographical location of the country in the heart of Europe. Hungary itself is becoming a major source of export of ICT services and products, with their share in the country's overall exports crossing 30%, mainly to other European countries. Hungary's long term, development goal is to become a 'knowledge' economy focusing on the high value added service sector, including IT. A Totalisation or Social Security Agreement has been proposed to the Hungarian side, in view of the presence of Indian workers on short-duration tenures, mainly with IT companies in Hungary. The draft has been finalized and would be signed soon.

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15. India-Ireland Recognizing the mutual strength of both countries in the field of science and technology, a bilateral S&T Agreement was signed between India and Ireland during Irish PM Bertie Ahern's visit to India in January 2006. Through a programme of cooperation in science and technology concluded in May 2009, areas like biotechnology, nano-sciences, food and agricultural sciences, medical and health sciences, marine sciences, chemical, biochemical and pharmaceuticals, sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies, Information and Communications Technologies etc. have been identified for joint research. Researchers from both countries have evinced mutual interest in establishing research linkages between research institutions in both countries. Pledging to increase bilateral trade between the two countries during a trade mission to India in January, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern pinpointed areas of software and education where IndoIrish collaboration could be enhanced. During the mission, India and Ireland signed three agreements - a cultural co-operation pact, an agreement on scientific and technological co-operation and an MoU between the Indian National Science Academy and the Science Foundation of Ireland. The Irish delegation, which included representatives from prominent colleges such as University College, Griffith College and Trinity College met officials from more than 40 different Indian colleges and universities. Irish Education Minister, Mary Hanafin expressed her hope for the two countries to collaborate on research and exchange programmes, especially at postgraduate level. Ireland plans to produce 8,000 PhDs from its universities between 2006 and 2013. Mary Hanafin said: to achieve this goal, we are looking at students from India in a big way. We are seeking Indian talent for our doctoral programmes in business management, IT, science and medicine and have set up an organisation called Education Ireland Total trade between the two went from €363.5 million in 2005 to €447.3 million in 2007. Indian exports (having been higher in at least the accounted period) accounted for €279.8 million to Indian imports of €167.5 million in 2007. Indian exports included garments and clothing, textile yarn, and medical and pharmaceutical products. Indian imports included telecommunications and sound equipment, automatic data processing machines, and other manufactured articles. Indian companies included Ranbaxy Laboratories, Wockhardt Group and Reliance Life science in the pharma industry; with TCS and other IT companies in the relevant field. Irish companies in India were much broader with IT services, banking video gaming, oil exploration, media outlets, the Met Pro Group, property companies, cement companies, food processing, and software products industries represented. Under the leadership of Dr Ramasamy, Secretary, Science and Technology, Government of India, a bilateral Science and Technology Agreement was signed in 2006 to augment cooperation in areas including Renewable Energy, ICT, medical sciences, biotechnology, nano-science, food science and other technologies. An Ireland - India Council seeks to foster business ties between the two states. The Council seeks to increase "People to People Contact," "Cultural Exchange" engendered through cultural awareness as a necessary attribute to nurturing bilateral relations and/or economic interactions, as "Exchange of Ideas," and more importantly "Business-to-Business Interactions." The council plans to provide services for: •

Networking in desirable business sectors both in India and in Ireland

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• • • • •

Assist its members in setting and operating their business in India and vice versa Provide travel assistance to its members Organize workshop and conferences to its members Provide cultural familiarization and training to the companies staff and executives The Ireland India Business Association (IIBA) was founded in May 2008 to enhance and increase commercial links between Irish and Indian businesses.

The first Ireland-India Science and Technology Forum was held in Dublin City University in Feb 2010. The aim of the Forum was to promote and catalyze Irish-Indian Collaborations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Biomedical Research. Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) signed a MoU in 2008 with the University of Pune (UoP), one of India's most respected universities to implement a broad series of initiatives in research, student and staff exchange, and innovation ecosystem development. The Ireland based Cork company, Zenith Technologies Ltd., intends to expand business development in Ireland and India. UoP invited CIT to participate in a major bilateral research and innovation colloquium in January 2010, which focused on the theme of 'Collaboration in Science and Technology'. A delegation of CIT's senior management and research staff participated in a series of workshops, research presentations, lectures, laboratory visits and industry meetings with counterparts from UoP to identify opportunities of mutual benefit. The Prime Minister of Ireland launched GeSCI's operations in India on January 17, 2006. The Global e-School and Communities Initiative (GeSCI), the Dublin-headquartered GeSCI, founded by the UN ICT Task Force, aims at facilitating attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and would work in India at the national and state levels, assisting the government and other partners for implementing ICT in education strategies and programmes.

15.1 ICT Cooperation The DST (Department of Science and Technology), Government of India had signed a bilateral Science and Technology Agreement with the Government of Ireland in 2006. The key areas for cooperation include ICT apart from Renewable Energy, medical sciences, biotechnology and nanoscience. There is no separate agreement specifically for ICT signed by DST or DIT (Department of Informaton Technology) as in the case of some countries.

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16. India-Italy Bilateral political relations between India and Italy are warm and friendly. There is a growing realization in Italy of the importance of India especially as an economic partner. Former President of Italy Mr. Cario Azeglio Ciampi paid a state visit to India in February 2005, accompanied by a high level ministerial and economic delegation. Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi visited India from February 10-15, 2007. He was accompanied by Ministers for International Trade and European Affairs; for Infrastructure; for Scientific Research; and for Family; a well as a delegation of about 450 businessmen. During the visit, he met the President, Vice President and held talks with the Prime Minister and Minister, External Affairs. The business delegation had over 4200 business meetings. The focus areas included food processing, financial services, industrial design, leather and tanning and renewable energy. 11 Agreements/MoUs were signed in Mumbai, including between Fiat and Tata, ONGC and ENI, and BHEL and SELEX. Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Anand Sharma visited Rome from November 14-16, 2006. Following are some of the agreements on Cooperation in Science and Technology, in pursuance of which, visits of a number of scientists and research scholars are being exchanged:

16.1 ICT Cooperation 1. During the visit of Secretary, Information Technology, Mr. Vinay Kohli, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Information Technology was signed between India and Italy in Florence on 26 April 2001. The Italian under Secretary for Trade and Industry, Senator Stefano Passigli signed the MOU on behalf of Italy. The first meeting of the Indo-Italian Joint Working Group on Information Technology was also held at Florence on 26 April 2001. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in Information Technology through greater interaction and exchange of IT personnel and training programmes and IT applications in various fields, but no significant developments can be seen thereafter. The APRE (Agency for the Promotion of European Research) in Italy is however participating from the European side with C-DAC, CSIR and DIT from Indian side in EUINEC (EU-India Enhanced Cooperation), which is more of a multilateral project. 2. A scientific delegation led by Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology visited Italy from 10-14 March, 2002 and held discussions with Ambassador Aloisi de Larderel, Head of Foreign Ministry's Department for Cultural and Scientific Cooperation. The two sides signed a new S&T cooperation programme for the years 2002-2004 on March 12, 2002. The programme includes numerous joint research projects such as enabling Indian physicists to use the facilities at the Syncrotrone in Trieste. 3. Three Exploratory Missions of Indian and Italian scientists in the fields of Medical Radiology and Polar science were sponsored under the Indo-Italian POC (Programme of Cooperation) in S&T during 1999. These were instrumental in recommending the scope of new initiatives for joint research and human resource development to be implemented under the on-going POC.

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4. A delegation led by Secretary DST visited Italy during November 22-26,1999 for broadening the scope of Indo-Italian cooperation beyond the activities approved in the Indo-Italian POC in S&T 1998-2001; reviewing the Indo-Italian scientific activities during 1999 under the aegis of the current Indo-Italian POC; concluding a new arrangement for cooperation in S&T with premier Italian universities through Inter-University Research Centre for Developing Countries (CIRPS), Rome and signing of Agreements for Enhanced S&T Cooperation between Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). 5. Collaboration of Indian institutions and Sincrotrone Trieste in the field of physics, technology and applications of accelerated particles registered significant increase. DST and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-sponsored visit of 13 Indian scientists for performing 7 research experiments on Italian Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Elettra beamlines in 78 shifts; visit of 6 Indian scientists and engineers to Sincrotrone Trieste for 20 man months of advanced training in machine development, beamline and experimental station aspects of SR Facility as a step to strengthening Indian Synchrotron programmes; and visit of an Indian scientist for participation in Seventh International Elettra User Meeting at Trieste. In addition, implementation of 13 joint research projects is underway.

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17. India-Latvia 17.1 Indo-Latvian Bilateral Relations Indo-Latvian economic relations, as viewed through trade and investment point to a steady increase, but are far short of potential. Indian exports to Latvia stood at USD 24 (€20.10) million in 2008 and imports stood at USD 10.1 (€8.46) million. There are around 43 registered Indian ventures in Latvia which range from production to marketing to software development. Indian investments of approximately US $ 1.7 (€1.42) million rank it 51st among investing countries. Potential areas of investment from India include pharmaceuticals and healthcare, telecommunications, IT and software development, heavy engineering and biotechnology. Growth in trade can be driven by export of textiles, gems and jewellery, chemical dyes and pharmaceuticals.

17.2 Indo-Latvian Economic and Commercial Relations Indo-Latvian relations are cordial and are warming up, though there is room for improvement on the trade and economic front. Trade and investment is steadily increasing between the two countries. The relations between India and Latvia are friendly and wide ranging. Latvia is envisaged as the nation that occupies a pivotal position as gateway to the opportune Baltic market. Latvian leadership at all levels is keen to strengthen relationship with India and would like to see this relationship grow. Consequent to the Latvia’s accession to the EU, Latvia has been promised EUR 5.7 billion grants over seven years for supporting various projects for which any company in a joint venture with a Latvian company would be eligible. This along with the investment friendly policies of the Latvian government provides great opportunity for Indian firms to make forays in the Latvian market. ICT remains the pivotal area where India can collaborate with the Latvian companies. Potential areas of cooperation and trade/investment include: • • • • • • • • •

Oil and petroleum Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Telecommunications IT and Software Development Heavy Engineering; export of textiles (especially denim) Gems and Jewellery Chemicals and Dyes Vegetables and Fruits Leather and Leather Products

Important Bilateral Treaties and Agreements •

Declaration of Principles and Directions of Co-operation between India and Latvia was signed during the visit of MOS (EA) in September, 1995.

•

Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the fields of Culture, Arts, Education, Science, Mass-Media and Sports was signed in Sept 1995, during MOS (EA) visit to Latvia.

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•

Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Latvia and India signed in Sept 1995, during MOS (EA) visit to Latvia.

•

Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations was signed in Riga in Sept 1995, during the visit of Minister of State, External Affairs.

•

Air services Agreement was signed in October 1997 during the Latvian presidential visit to New Delhi.

•

Agreement on Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was signed during the First Round of FOC in Riga, Latvia in June 2001.

17.3 ICT Cooperation Apart from the umbrella agreement signed during the First Round of FOC in Riga, in June 2001 on Inter-Governmental Commission that included Scientific and Technological Cooperation, there are no specific agreements between the two countries on ICT cooperation.

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18. India-Lithuania India and Lithuania have close warm relations despite being geographically away from each other. India and Lithuania are finalising three important agreements: • • •

Agreement on the avoidance of double taxation Bilateral investment protection A cultural exchange programme.

These agreements will pave the way for investments in each other's country and for a vibrant cultural exchange between the institutions of the two countries. It will also allow India to offer a number of scholarships to Lithuanian students in the future. India is determined to enhance its exports to Lithuania in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles and consumer goods. India has already contributed to the study of Indology by providing support to the Universities of Vilnius and Kaunas. Since 1993-94, about 50 Lithuanian candidates have attended various courses in the fields of diplomacy, banking, mass communications, finance management, urban management development, foreign trade auditing, etc. under 10 ITEC scholarships allocated to Lithuania by India every year. ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) programme "ITEC" was launched in 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India. Total bilateral trade has grown by 60 percent from 1998 to 2007. As per 2007 trade data, India’s exports during 2007 amounted to 22.70 million Euro. Overall bilateral trade for the year 2007 totaled 32.23 million Euro. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas, on his first official visit to India on December 4th, 2009 announced that despite being a small and young country, it is the best place for India to do business. In an effort to thus forge strong ties, the India-Lithuania Chamber of Commerce has been established for the first time. Indian businessmen are keen to invest in manufacturing units in Lithuania. Lithuania is looking at working together to share our knowledge on Food processing, biotechnology, IT, fertilizer, plastics, governance and learning from India’s experiences as the biggest democracy. Accompanied by Lithuanian Economy Minister Dainius Kreivys and a 27-member business delegation, Usackas attended a meeting at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and another meeting organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Mumbai. Rajinder Kumar Chaudhary, honorary consul of India to Lithuania, said: The foreign minister met Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah because Lithuania is looking at joint collaborations in this field.

18.1 ICT Cooperation No specific mention on any agreement between the two countries relating to ICT has been found in the available media.

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19. India-Luxembourg Diplomatic relations between India and Luxembourg were established in 1947. During the period 2003 to 2008, total bilateral trade between India and Luxembourg increased by 54%, rising from 24 million Euros in 2003 to 37 million Euros in 2008. Indian exports to Luxembourg during the same period decreased by -2%, from 12.9 million Euro in 2003 to 12.7 million Euro in 2008. Indian imports from Luxembourg, on the other hand, increased by 99% during the same period, from 10.8 million Euros in 2003 to 24.7 million Euro in 2008.

19.1 Bilateral Investment FDI inflows from Luxembourg into India amount to US $ 82.68 (€69.23) million from April 2000 to March 2008 (Source: Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, India). Indian direct investment in joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries in Luxembourg was US$ 18.25 (€15.28) million from April 1996 to February 2006 (Source: Ministry of Finance, India). There are about 500 persons of Indian origin in Luxembourg. Most of them are employed in Banks and other multinational corporations. There is also a Luxembourg Indian Association.

19.2 Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg (IBCL) The launch of the IBCL took place on the 30th of March 2009 at the premises and under the umbrella of the Luxembourgish Chamber of Commerce and was honoured by the presence of Mr Jean Asselborn, the Luxembourgish Minister of Foreign Affairs. IBCL is a non-profit bilateral organization that aims to strengthen, foster, grow and even create new bilateral economic and business relationships between India and Luxembourg in various fields of technology, finance, healthcare, education, research & development, tourism and culture. Its principal objectives are: • • • • • • •

Act as a gateway in collaborating between business organizations in the two countries Promote and strengthen trade between India and Luxembourg Represent the commercial interests of its members to the Luxembourg and Indian authorities to encourage mutual commercial relationship Assist its members in developing contacts for promotion of their products or services Help potential investors in seeking commercial relationship between the two countries Organize conferences, seminars, lectures, symposiums and networking platforms Assist in organizing trade delegations from Luxembourg to India or vice versa

IBCL and Indian Merchants’ Chamber have also signed an important cooperation agreement to promote the development of bilateral economic relations and explore business opportunities in different sectors between the two nations.

19.3. ICT Cooperation No specific mention on any agreement between the two countries relating to ICT has been found in the available media.

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20. India-Malta India and Malta signed an agreement on economic, industrial, scientific and technological cooperation in Delhi on 14th January, 1992. COMNET-IT, now called COMNET Foundation for ICT Development, was established on 28th August, 1995 as an international, non-governmental, self-sustaining and non-profit foundation. A secretariat was set up in Malta with the ongoing support of the Governments of Malta and India, the national agencies represented on the Board. The Maltese government encourages Indian businesses to set up in their nation. In order to attract Indian businesses, Malta has offered various incentives to Indian companies. Malta has also signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Indian government, for the avoidance of double taxation. Bilateral trade between the two countries increased nine-folds during the first three years of the 21st century, reaching 97 million USD (€81.11) in 2003-04; and 122 million USD (€102.02) by 2005-06. The main exports from Malta are electronic goods, electrical machinery, and professional instruments, while the major exports from India are petroleum goods.

20.1 ICT Cooperation Malta invited Indian technology firms in November 2006 to set up near-shore facilities to serve European and North African markets. As a member of the European Union (EU), Malta has given priority to the development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, with a host of incentives and investor-friendly policies to attract foreign investments. A delegation from the business advisory services division of SMG, which provides consultancy to the Maltese government for promoting the ICT sector has come calling in India's silicon hub to participate in the Bangalore IT.in event and interact with technology firms here. To attract overseas investments in the knowledge sector, Malta is offering a package of incentives such as reduced rates of income tax (five percent) on company profits, tax credits up to 65 percent on capital expenditure, low-interest loans and up to 80 percent financial assistance for training employees. Malta is showcasing its offerings to the Indian IT/ITES firms, especially in the SME sector having presence in Europe or planning to explore the North African region. Ranked 19th among the 102 developing countries by the World Economic Forum, Malta is considered one of Europe's profitable investment locations. Economic and commercial linkages between northern and southern countries of the Mediterranean make Malta an ideal base for the growth of the ICT sector. In the month of January 2010, the Republic of Malta opened a Consulate in Chennai to further bilateral trade and investment. The Consulate in India is the only Mediterranean island-nations’ second office in India after Mumbai, apart from the High Commission in Delhi. The Deputy Prime Minister of Malta, Tonio Borg has also announced opening of a Consulate in Kolkata very soon. Among Maltas value propositions, apart from its strategic mid-Mediterranean location that offers easy access to Europe and North Africa, included Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) pre-eminence, an English-proficient and multi-skilled workforce, education, tourism, high health standards and quality of life. In 2008, Malta exported €3 million worth of goods to India while it imported commodities worth €31.4 million.

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21. India-Netherlands The Netherlands, a founding member of the EU, is an important economic partner of India. With four centuries of trading relations between the two countries, today it has the fourth highest investment in India. Total trade between India and the Netherlands has shown a growth of over 101.6% in the period 2000-2006 and is continuing to grow at a robust rate annually. The Dutch giant Philips has been in India since after World War I, and by 1970s, it could claim that it reached places in India that even the Indian Railways did not touch. Hindustan Lever is an offshoot of the Dutch giant Unilever and ABN Amro is a successor to the Netherlands Trading Company, established in Kolkata since 1927. Royal Dutch Shell has long been a major presence in India. Philips, a household name in India for consumer electronics, today has its largest overseas software development R&D centre in Bangalore. Amongst the biggest Dutch success stories in India are the big three of Dutch banking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank. Bilateral trade has crossed â&#x201A;Ź2.7 billion mark in 2006. At present, 20 product groups account for nearly 80% of Indian exports, of which textile fabrics and textile goods continue to be the main component (23.38%), followed by electrical machinery equipment (15.15%), mineral fuels and oil, chemicals and related products, edible nuts, iron and steel products and transport vehicles. Both countries have a genuine political will to expand bilateral economic cooperation. The Netherlands has great expertise in agro-technology and floriculture; water management; environment and spatial management; logistics including ports and highways/inland water transportation. The Dutch, on their part, view India as a growing market where they need to expand their traditional multilateral presence with the entry of small and medium enterprises with niche technologies in major areas of its expertise and capabilities. Besides trade and investment, they are also looking to India for knowledge workers to enhance Dutch competitiveness and innovation for economic regeneration. Both sides have taken significant steps to identify new areas of cooperation. They are currently working to develop a long term partnership in the new avenues for economic and commercial cooperation in the fields of ICT, biotechnology; agriculture and food processing, urban water and solid waste management, inland water transport; dredging; ship building; port development; infrastructure; environment; oil and gas etc.

21.1 Indian Industry investments in the Netherlands Given the vital role of the port of Rotterdam, from where about 40% of EU trade takes place, the Netherlands is a natural gateway to Europe for Indian businesses and would like to be viewed as the Singapore of Europe. With its attractive taxation policy, developed infrastructure, English-speaking population, investment friendly policies, logistics, technology infrastructure and its geographical location, the Netherlands is emerging as an attractive destination for Indian companies interested in establishing their businesses on mainland Europe.

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In the last couple of years, the Netherlands has rapidly come in the vizier of Indian companies when they think in terms of establishing a presence in Europe. Some of the companies have located their European and, of late, even their global headquarters in the Netherlands. Leading IT companies from India like TCS, Wipro, Infosys, HCL, Satyam, have a presence in the Netherlands and are now in the process of expanding their operations. An encouraging new development is the growing presence of major companies in other sectors such as Moser Baer, Safal, Suzlon and ONGC Videsh. The visit of H.R.H. Prince Claus of the Netherlands to India in the early 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was a landmark development in the intensification of bilateral relations. Recent high-level visits and exchanges during the visit of the Dutch Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. J.W. Balkenende, in January 2006, the Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Mr. L.J. Brinkhorst, in February 2004 and subsequently in October 2005, Minister of Foreign Trade in September 2006 with a large high level trade delegation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and other high-level visits and Parliamentary delegation have sustained the momentum of close bilateral relationship. A significant enhancement is envisaged in the future.

21.2 ICT Cooperation There is no formal agreement for cooperation in ICT between the two countries, signed by Department of IT or Department of S&T on behalf of the Government of India. Nevertheless, the Department of S&T facilitates at the Indian office of the International Network of Netherlands Officers for Science & Technology of the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands. It supports R&D institutes, scientific institutions, businesses, industry associations, government and NGO's in the Netherlands by providing information about scientific and technological developments in India. The aim also is to promote Dutch Science & Technology in India and to present opportunities for S&T collaboration between India and the Netherlands and to facilitate contacts, exchange of information and initiatives for collaboration.

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22. India-Poland India and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1954 and the Indian Embassy in Warsaw was opened in 1957. Contacts between the Indian and Polish Parliaments were established after the overthrow of the Communist system in 1989. A Polish parliamentary delegation led by the Marshal of the Sejm, had visited India in December 1992. A Polish-Indian Parliamentary Group had been set up during the term of the last Parliament which held office from 1996 to 2001. Speaker of Lok Sabha, Manohar Joshi led a multi-party Parliamentary delegation to Poland from 22-26 May 2002. Also Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Jozef Oleksy, led a Polish parliamentary delegation to India from 9-11 December 2004. In April 2009 Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil visited Poland. The bilateral trade between two countries has grown about eleven times from 1992 to 2008. Bilateral trade, which totaled US$ 675.73 (€565.84) million and US$ 861.78 (€721.64) million in 2006 and 2007 respectively, crossed US$ 1 billion in 2008 with US$ 1274.77 million (€1057.02). During 2005, major Indian companies signed several agreements on investments that are expected to create more than 3,500 new jobs in Poland. India's major exports to Poland include Tea, Coffee, Spices, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, auto parts and surgical items. India's imports from Poland include Machinery except electric and electronic appliances, artificial resins, plastic material, non-ferrous metals and machine tools. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has sent several delegations to Poland to explore economic opportunities in various sectors. Indian companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro Technologies, ZenSar and Videocon have already set up their bases in Poland. Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI) was formed in 2008 to protect and represent the interests within the range of economic activity and to promote economic relations between India and Poland. Both countries have long-standing history of cooperation in science and technology. The first IndoPolish Agreement on this cooperation was signed in March 1974; subsequently, a new agreement with more focus Programmes of Cooperation (POC) in Science and Technology were signed between the two countries from time to time. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) have ongoing scientific exchange programs with the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).

22.1 ICT Cooperation India and Poland do not have any formal bilateral agreements on ICT, other than a very old agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology that was signed on 12th January, 1993. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) have ongoing scientific exchange programmes with the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), but there is no specific mention of ICT in the available information.

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23. India-Portugal The Indian Annexation of Goa (also referred to as Invasion of Goa, the Liberation of Goa and the Portuguese-Indian War), was an action by India's armed forces that ended Portuguese rule in its Indian enclaves in 1961. The armed action, codenamed Operation Vijay by Indian government, involved air, sea and land strikes for over 36 hours, and was a decisive victory for India, ending 451 years of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa. Thirty-four Indians and thirty-one Portuguese were killed in the fighting. The brief war drew a mixture of worldwide praise and condemnation. In India, the action was seen as liberation of historically Indian Territory, while Portugal viewed it as aggression against a long-held colonial possession. Relations between India and Portugal thawed only in 1974, when, following a military coup d'état and the fall of the authoritarian corporatist rule in Lisbon, Goa was finally recognised as part of India, and steps were taken to re-establish diplomatic relations with India. In 1992, Portuguese President Mário Soares became the first Portuguese head of state to visit Goa after its annexation by India. This followed Indian President R. Venkataraman’s visit to Portugal in 1990.

23.1 Indo-Portuguese Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology The Indo-Portuguese Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology facilitates bilateral cooperation between scientists/researches of the two countries by way of exploratory visits, joint R&D projects, and joint seminars/workshops. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) under Ministry of Science & Technology of India and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under Ministry of Science, Technology & Higher Education are the nodal agencies to implement the programme in India and Portugal on the respective sides. Areas of Cooperation: Projects for financial support in the following broad subject areas are available under the programme: • • • • • • • • • •

Ocean Science & Technology Computer Software and Applications Cellular and Molecular Biology Biotechnology Materials Science including Nano Technology Health Sciences Agricultural Sciences Chemical Sciences Engineering Sciences Energy, Ecology and Environment

Other than the Science & Technology programme mentioned above that includes “Computer Software and Applications”, India does not have any explicit agreement with Portugal on ICT, signed either by DST or DIT (Department of Information Technology).

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24. India-Romania 24.1 Indo-Romanian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation With a view to intensifying interaction and the scientific cooperation between Indian and Romanian Scientists/Institutions, Department of Science and Technology (DST) for the Government of the Republic of India and the National Authority of Scientific Research for the Government of the Republic of Romania extend support for joint research projects involving exchange of visits under the Indo-Romanian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation programme with special emphasis on further academic training and specialization of scientists/scholars. In order to qualify for such funding, investigators are required to have a concrete and sound research proposal on any of the following areas: - Information and Communication Technologies - Life Sciences & Biotechnology (including Pharmaceuticals) - New Materials - Food Safety - Environment Protection and Energy Grants will be offered towards travel and living costs (limited to a total of one short term visit and one long term visit of one month per year from each side) within the framework of well-defined and approved Indo-Romanian research projects normally of one to three year duration. The sending side shall cover the expenses on international travel (including overseas medical insurance) up to the capital city/city of arrival in the host side both ways. The receiving side shall arrange the in-country travel of the visiting scientists from the capital city/city of arrival to the place of the institute to be visited by appropriate means and living expenses and local hospitality as per mutually agreed terms. The mutual visits of the scientists must be balanced in number {(limited to visit by two researchers during the year and the final result is 6 persons (or visits) from each side spread over entire duration of a project of 3 year duration} and should, in general, be for a short duration of time. Each participant from either side would be allowed to avail only one visit per year of the project. According to the internal rules in force, besides the financial support towards the exchange of scientists mentioned above, the Parties may provide additional research funds to their respective project teams.

24.2 ICT Cooperation No specific mention on any agreement between the two countries relating to ICT has been found in the available media.

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25. India-Slovakia The former Czechoslovakia was one of India's major trade partners in Eastern Europe. India's volume of trade with Czechoslovakia in 1991-92 was higher than any other country in the region. Indo-Slovak Joint Committee was established in 1994, during the visit of the Slovak PM to India, and held its first meeting in Bratislava in May 1995. The second session was held in New Delhi in December 1996, and identified several areas for enhancement of bilateral co-operation including railways, engineering and construction, electronics, telecommunications, banking, tourism, oil and gas exploration, mining, the steel industry, production of chemicals and fertilisers, textile industry, and supply of agricultural commodities and consumer goods. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Slovak Ministry of Economy and the National Centre for Trade and Information (NCTI) of the Indian Ministry of Commerce. The then Slovak Minister of Economy, Mr. Karol Cesnek also visited India in December' 1996 and had meetings with the Minister of Commerce and senior officials in the Ministries of Commerce and Defense to discuss bilateral co-operation. The 3rd session of the Joint Committee was held in Bratislava in October 1998 and a Protocol was signed between the two countries. Simultaneously, the Slovak-India Joint Business Council was held in which 14 representatives of Indian companies participated. Subsequent to this a Slovak Business Delegation, led by the President of Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited India from 11-21 November 1998. The 4th session of the Joint Business Council took place in New Delhi in April 2004. The 5th Session of the Indo-Slovak Joint Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation was held on 19th October 2004 in Bratislava. It was agreed at this meeting to exchange delegations in automobile, textile, leather, pharmaceutical sectors; organize Enterprise India exhibition in Slovak Republic; finalize BIPA, DTAA and to participate in mutual trade fairs. During the Indian President's visit, India and Slovakia signed the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPA) in September 2006. The 6th session of the Indo-Slovak Joint Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation took place in New Delhi on 13th November 2006. A protocol was signed between India and Slovakia with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation in traditional areas and diversify the trade basket. It was decided to organize an Indo-Slovak Business and Investment Forum in Slovakia in 2007-08. It was also decided to hold the meeting of the Joint Committee on Science & Technology in the first half of 2007. The meeting also decided to expedite the conclusion of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

25.1 ICT Cooperation No specific mention on any agreement between the two countries relating to ICT has been found in the available media.

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26. India-Slovenia The Minister of State for External Affairs Smt. Preneet Kaur visited Slovenia from 30th August to 1st September, 2009. Apart from addressing the Bled Strategic Forum on the subject of ‘New Global Governance for the 21st Century’ in the Leader’s Panel on 30th August, Smt. Kaur also held bilateral discussions with Slovene leaders. She called on the President of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Tuerk. She also met with Foreign Minister Mr. Samuel Zbogar and separately held discussions with the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Dragoljuba Benčina. In all these discussions the steadily growing bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed apart from exchanging views on international issues. Both sides also welcomed the decision by Slovenia to upgrade its representation in India to Ambassador level which will take place very soon. The importance of continuing regular high level visits and holding the next Foreign Office Consultations soon were stressed.

26.1 India–Slovenia S&T Programme The India–Slovenia S&T Programme initiated in 2005, facilitates bilateral cooperation between the scientific communities of India and Slovenia by way of joint research projects, bilateral workshops/seminar, exploratory visits of scientist, scientific delegations and composite (scientific and industrial) delegation. Proposals are invited from time to time. The Nodal Implementing Agencies are Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi and the Ministry for Education, Science and Sports (MESS), Ljubljana, the nodal implementing agencies from the Indian and Slovenian sides respectively. It is expected that joint research projects in thrust areas will lead to development of patent/product which could be commercialized and may lead to formation of joint ventures. All publications, patents coming out of these projects, need to be jointly authored by both Indian and Slovenian scientists. The President of India paid a State visit to the Slovak Republic on 9 and 10 October 1996. An Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology and an Air Services Agreement were signed during the visit. Session of the Indo-Slovak joint Committee was held in New Delhi. Under the Indo-Slovenian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation - 2009, call for joint project proposal with a view to intensifying interaction and the scientific cooperation between Indian and Slovenian Scientists/Institutions, Department of Science and Technology (DST) of India and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MHEST) and the Slovenian Research Agency extend support for joint research projects involving exchange of visits under the Indo-Slovenian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation programme.

26.2 ICT Cooperation Other than the bilateral cooperation in Science and Technology mentioned above, the two countries do not have any other agreement focused on ICT Cooperation.

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27. India-Spain Relations between India and Spain are cordial. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1956 with the opening of the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi followed in 1958 by the concurrent accreditation of our High Commissioner to London as Ambassador to Spain. A Mission headed by a Chargé d'Affaires opened in Madrid the same year. The first resident Ambassador was appointed in 1965. India has the following treaties/agreements with Spain: • • • • • • • • • •

Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation (1972) Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (1982). The CEP for the period 2005-08 was signed in March 2005, Civil Aviation Agreement (1986). Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (1993). Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (1997). Extradition Treaty (2002) MoU on Institutionalization of Political Dialogue (2006) Mutual Legal Assistance treaty on Criminal Matters (2006). MoU between Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Centre for Development of Industrial Technology (2006). MoU of cooperation in the field of S&T (2007)

27.1 The Indo-Spanish Joint Programme of Cooperation in S&T The framework of the Indo-Spanish Joint Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology of the Government of India, and the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) of the Government of Spain, as the key institutions dedicated to the implementing the programme in India and in Spain. The programme’s aim is to strengthen the bilateral collaboration between scientists and researchers from the two countries by way of joint R&D projects, exchange visits and technical missions. This call for proposals provides applicants with information on the bilateral cooperation programme and its procedures. The following broad areas have been selected as the fields of research in which joint project proposals may be submitted: • • • • • •

Renewable Energy Information Technology (including Computer Science) Health and Medical Research Life Science and Biotechnology (including Pharmaceuticals) Agriculture Technology and Food Processing Nanotechnology

27.2 ICT Cooperation There is no existing agreement so far, but agreements and MOUs are under consideration in a number of other areas that include Information Technology as a key area.

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28. India-Sweden Indo-Swedish trade relations celebrated the centenary in 2003. In 1903, Ericsson sold its first switching systems to India. Later in 1923, Swedish Match (WIMCO) also established itself in India. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden continues to expand, with Sweden’s top leadership emphasizing need for strengthening relations with India. India has emerged as the 20th largest market for Sweden and trade increased by over 41% during 2006. Today, there are over a dozen Indian IT companies marketing their software and services in Sweden.

28.1 Swedish Research Links Programme The Swedish Research Links Programme addresses International Collaborative Research Grants between Sweden, Asia, MENA and South Africa. It seeks to foster research ties between researchers in Sweden on the one hand, and researchers in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) and South Africa on the other. The key condition for the Swedish Research Links Programme is that researchers from the countries involved must submit joint applications on projects of mutual interest. The programme offers two forms of grant for international research collaboration: • International Collaborative Research Grant (normally awarded for three years) • International Planning Grant (one year) The Programme is intended to support international research collaboration by funding the research partners’ joint activities, such as exchange research visits between the partners, seminars, workshops and joint publishing. Minor items of equipment for use in the collaborative project may also be funded. Funding is awarded for both basic and applied research. The Swedish Research Links Programme is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and administered by the Swedish Research Council. The South African part of the programme is co-funded and jointly run by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. Information and Guidelines The principles of mutual benefit, equity and fairness, and criteria relating to intellectual property rights will apply throughout the collaborative research projects funded. Objectives The long-term goal of Swedish Research Links Programme is to contribute to mutual scientific and socioeconomic development of the countries involved through funding of collaborative research projects of high scientific quality and mutual relevance. It seeks to fulfill the following objectives: o To establish a basis for long-term research cooperation. o To produce new knowledge and enhance understanding in fields of mutual concern and relevance. o To promote research excellence and quality. o To encourage the internationalization of research institutions. o To foster interdisciplinary and scientifically complementary research. An umbrella MoU for cooperation in Science & Technology was signed between the Government of Kingdom of Sweden and Government of the Republic of India on 9th December, 2005. The following Report on Bilateral ICT Funding

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means of cooperation were identified: • • • • •

Mobility of scientists, graduate students, research workers, technologists, other specialists and scholars Exchange of scientific and technical information and documentation Organization of bilateral scientific and technical seminars, workshops and courses on problems of interests to both countries Joint identification of scientific & technical problems, formulation and implementation of joint research projects Facilitating industrial R&D and catalyzing creation of joint ventures

28.2 ICT Cooperation No formal treaty has ever been signed between the two countries for bilateral cooperation in the field of ICT.

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29. India-United Kingdom Since 1947, India's relations with the United Kingdom have been through bilateral, as well as through the Commonwealth of Nations framework. Although the Sterling Area no longer exists and the Commonwealth is much more an informal forum, India and the UK still have many enduring links. This is in part due to the significant number of people of Indian origin living in the UK. The large South Asian population in the UK results in steady travel and communication between the two countries. The British Raj allowed for both cultures to imbibe tremendously from the other. The English language and cricket are perhaps the two most evident British exports, whilst in the UK food from the Indian subcontinent is very popular. The United Kingdom's favorite food is often reported to be Indian Cuisine, although no official study reports this. Economically the relationship between Britain and India is also strong. India is the second largest investor in Britain after the US. Britain is also one of the largest investors in India. The Queen's visits to India have been enormously successful along with those by other members of the Royal Family. Britain has also supported India's rise to prominence on the international stage, including advocating a permanent seat on the Security Council. The UK recently gave India a £825 (€996.40) million aid package to help India develop its health and education systems.

29.1 UK Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) In 2002, the UK Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) signed a bilateral agreement with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India making funding available to establish a networking scheme which aimed to initiate and develop enduring partnerships between the UK and Indian scientists. Under each agreement, both sides agreed upon the need to bring together their most excellent scientists in any field of science and technology. Funding is available to continue to support the establishment of networking grants between the UK and India. • To initiate and encourage ‘bottom-up’ networking between excellent UK and Indian postdoctoral scientists. • To develop new and enduring partnerships in any field of science and technology, that would ultimately result in bids for project funding through national structures. This funding opportunity is seen as a crucial “stepping stone” to support sustainable partnerships. The Royal Society and the DST will cooperate to share costs on the principle of the sending side paying for international travel and the host side paying for local subsistence, including in-country accommodation, food and travel. Funding is up to a maximum of £10,000 (€12153.44) shared between the Royal Society and the DST. Funding cannot be used to cover research expenses and proof of expenditure will be required after the networking activity has taken place.

29.2 The UK Science and Innovation Network This network is spread across three posts in India with five staff based in the British High Commission in New Delhi, three in the British Deputy High Commission in Bangalore and two in

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the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai. Its main objective is to encourage, promote and facilitate R&D collaborations between academia, research establishments and corporates in the UK and their Indian counterparts using platforms like seminars, workshops, sponsored visits, researcher exchanges, etc. It also works very closely with the Research Council UK (RCUK), UK's largest research funding body. The main aims are: Scientific Collaboration: Facilitating scientific collaboration between UK universities and research laboratories and the world’s best public and private-sector counterparts abroad, and working to increase access to foreign funding for UK researchers. •

Innovation - Strengthening UK’s innovation capacity through attracting R&D intensive international investment, helping UK companies to access and benchmark overseas technologies, and facilitating R&D partnerships and technology transfer.

•

Influence – Using science and innovation to influence Governments and other overseas players across the range of the UK’s international policy priorities (e.g. climate change, energy security, poverty, infectious diseases, counter-terrorism).

•

Policy-making – Helping UK and overseas policy-makers develop best practice in science and innovation policy, and developing international frameworks in breakthrough technologies such as stem cell research.

29.3 Research Councils UK Office in India RCUK is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. Each year the Research Councils invest around £3 billion in research covering the full spectrum of academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, and the arts and humanities. The RCUK Office in India was launched in October 2008 with an aim to bring about a step change in research partnerships between the two countries and make it easier for the best researchers in UK and India to develop high-quality, high impact research partnerships by: • • •

Developing positive, sustainable and influential relationships with key stakeholders. Supporting the facilitation of high quality research collaborations between India and the UK. Building the profile of the RCUK office to influence policy and deliver valuable, high impact outputs.

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29.4 Indo-UK S&T Cooperation Cooperation in Science & Technology between India and UK is being effected under an InterGovernmental S&T Agreement signed between the two countries in New Delhi on January 8, 1996. UK Office of S&T and the Indian Department of Science & Technology are the designated focal agencies to implement the S&T Agreement. In line with the provisions contained therein, a Joint S&T Committee is in place with Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science & Technology and Sir David King, Science Advisor to the HM Government as the Co-Chairmen. Since the signing of the S&T Agreement, 4 Meetings of Joint S&T Committee have so far taken place, the last having been held in New Delhi (India) on March 18, 2004. Progress of implementation under the Agreement has been significant. These could be broadly classified in two phases, Phase I and Phase II. Under Phase I, the activity was more towards organization of Thematic Workshops and support to project related visits, Phase II covers encouraging 'One-to-One Meetings" and support to Joint Thematic Workshops. Under Phase I, around 45 research proposals in the areas of Agro-Food S&T, Biotechnology, Telecommunication and Information Technology were supported. These have resulted to exchange visits of scientists on both sides on a Project - related basis. A number of joint research papers were published, in some cases leading to filing of patents on the joint work carried out between the scientists on two sides. Phase II of the Program, termed as ' Networking Arrangement', as stated covered support to "One-toOne Meetings" and Thematic Workshops. Under this, 50 "One-to-One Meetings" have been held between India and UK researchers representing various departments/organizations on both sides in the areas of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Engineering and Material Sciences, Life and Health Science, Chemical Sciences and Earth and Atmospheric Science. Similarly, 10 Thematic Workshops were organized in the areas of Tuberculosis, E-Science, Stem Cell Research, Industrial Mathematics, Liquid Crystals, Biomarkers, Climate Change, Telecommunication, to name a few. While the Thematic Workshops were held in India, with participation of both Indian and British Scientists, the 'one-to-one' Meetings have been from the Indian side with Indian researchers going to UK for such interaction.

29.5 ICT Cooperation There are no specific agreements between the two countries for bilateral cooperation in ICT, whereas to some extent, the Department of Science & Technology covers this field in its various agreements on cooperation in Science & Technology. As mentioned above, the Inter-Governmental S&T Agreement of 1996 encompasses Telecommunications & Information Technology to enable scientists to submit proposals for research under these areas, but a focused approach for ICT per se does not exist so far.

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30. Observations and Conclusions International Cooperation in Information & Communication Technology (ICT) is a specific domain of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India. The Department of Information Technology (DIT) has a dedicated team to focus on International Cooperation in the IT sector by exploring ways to enhance investments through collaborative efforts towards sustainable development and strengthening partnerships with other countries. DIT is actively involved in bilateral cooperation with the European Union. The sixth JWG meeting between DIT, Government of India and the EU was held in March 2009 at Brussels, where the Indian side expressed the desire to proactively participate in development of the technology for mutual benefits in which resources can be pooled together. Possible areas for strategic cooperation that were identified were standards for e-Governance, e-Security, knowledge network, biometrics, telecom, energy efficiency & alternate energy source & automated spectrum monitoring, open technologies/open source and institutional structure & mechanism. Apart from the European Union, it has active bilateral relationships through separate Joint Working Groups (JWG) with only two countries in Europe, of which a snapshot is given below: S. No. 01.

Country Republic of Bulgaria

02.

France

03.

Italy

Key areas of cooperation Software & hardware industries, egovernance, e-commerce, e-business, Capacity Building & HRD, STPs,SMEs, Joint Research Projects Software development, IT enabled services, telemedicine, cyber education, electronic commerce, electronic governance, information security & cyber crime, human resource development, research, design and development and exploring third country markets Umbrella MOU on Information Technology was signed between India and Italy in Florence on 26th April 2001

Status No progress after the third meeting of Joint Forum in October 2007 The seventh meeting of the JWG was held in October 2009 in Paris

No progress thereafter

Apart from these, the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India also has bilateral treaties with the following 12 European countries in the field of Science & Technology that encompasses ICT as one of the key areas: Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom In several instances, bilateral relationships are being established between private companies while the Governments on both sides act only as facilitators without themselves entering into agreements. This facilitates private companies on both sides to set up their operations in the other country. Examples of such instances are given below: a. Belgium: About 150 Belgian enterprises are present in India, while leading Indian firms,

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including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL, NIIT and Jubilant Organosys are present in Belgium. b. Czech Republic: TCS, India has a development center in Hungary, while Pune based Synygy has one each in Bucharest and Rumania. Bangalore based Progeon also has set up a centre in Brno. c. Hungary: Several IT companies, viz. TCS, Mahendra-Satyam, Genpact and Cognizant have established their operations in Budapest. In addition, as a result of the agreement on Cooperation in Science & Technology signed between India and Finland, bilateral trade has grown by 20% amounting to â&#x201A;Ź645.08 million with Finnish majors Nokia, Elcoteq, Kone and Wartsila having a strong presence in India. Facts mentioned above are strong pointers on the tremendous potential for collaborative research prospects that India and European countries can enter into. There are quite a few projects that DIT, Government of India is actively supporting (examples are ERNET India connectivity with European Research Network â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GEANT, Trans Eurasia Information Network (TEIN3), BELIEF II, 6 CHOICE and EUINEC (EU-India Enhanced Cooperation), which are more of multilateral in nature). A structured approach for support to joint research projects through bilateral ICT Cooperation agreements between prospective European countries and India is therefore the need of the hour.

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31. References a. Websites of India at Head Quarters of respective http://www.indembsofia.org/shtml/en/sce_tech.shtml)

Europen

countries

(e.g.

b. Websites of respective European countries in India (e.g. http://www.ambnewdelhi.esteri.it/Ambasciata_NewDelhi/Menu/I_rapporti_bilaterali/Coopera zione+scientifica/Accordo_di_cooperazione/ ) c. Website of Department of Information (http://www.mit.gov.in/content/europe)

Technology,

Government

d. Website of the Department of Science & Technology, Government (http://www.dst.gov.in/scientific-programme/International-s-tcoop.htm)

India

e. E-Clipping services (digital library of news related to ICT) of the C-DAC library available to C-DAC staff on the intranet. f. Documents available at the International Cooperation division of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India and discussions with officials of the department. g. Website of various projects under http://www.inciteproject.org/background.asp)

Framework

programme

(e.g.

h. Website of Euro-India Research Centre (http://euroindiaresearch.org/) i. Website of the European Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/india/index_en.htm )

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