Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan discussed a wide range of scientific and technical issues and possible bilateral and multilateral collaborations such as BRICS with a high-level delegation led by Brazilian Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation Mr Marcos Cesar Pontes who he received on February 24, 2021.

The deliberations focused on India-Brazil collaboration in thematic areas such as health, drugs, and vaccines for COVID-19; medicines and vaccines; biotechnology, energy, nanotechnology, ICT, artificial intelligence(AI), cybersecurity; monitoring of biomes and agriculture areas; oceans, water quality, air quality and atmospheric pollution by satellite; development of earth system modelling for weather forecasting and climate change. 

Dr Harsh Vardhan informed his counterpart that a series of scientific events have been planned, which India will steer and coordinate as Chair of BRICS in 2021. India is keen to collaborate with Brazil in critical areas such as health; earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences; weather forecasting; climate change; renewable energy; low carbon technologies; agriculture; cyber-physical systems; artificial intelligence (AI); environment (Water, Air pollution), circular economy; space, nanotechnology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He emphasized that the mobility of researchers is critical to the success of any collaboration. The project-based mobility of researchers and students must be increased to build long-term strategic partnerships and networking among scientists and research organizations.

Dr Harsh Vardhan said under the ‘Vaccine Maitree’ mechanism proposed for making safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines available at affordable prices to the highest-risk populations, India is committed to providing supplies of vaccines to partner nations.

Mr. Marcos Cesar Pontes said that Brazil was keen to collaborate on areas like weather forecasting, climate change, and space sciences, and scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators from the two sides could think and work together, receive technical help from each other to prepare for the future and also tackle situations like the recent pandemic.

Both sides acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in science, technology, and innovation at the meeting in which senior officials were present.

Source: Press Release
Release ID: 1700789
Date: February 25, 2021
PIB Delhi
Ministry of Science & Technology