New Delhi: India and Sri Lanka have extended their cooperation in the field of science and technology for three more years. The focus will be on areas such as wastewater technologies, sustainable agriculture, aerospace engineering, big data analysis and artificial intelligence.
The decision was taken at the ‘India-Sri Lanka 5th Joint Committee on S&T Cooperation’ held on Thursday, said a statement issued by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
“India and Sri Lanka have a great heritage of intellectual, cultural and religious contacts and ties dating back more than 2,500 years,” said SK Varshney, advisor and head of international cooperation in the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Varshney led the Indian delegation to the meeting, and he was the Indian co-chair.
“Trade and investment and cooperation in education and other sectors have increased in recent times, and in this sequence, cooperation in science and technology (science and technology) becomes very important,” he said.
Stating that there are a lot of opportunities for bilateral cooperation, Varshney said that this forum will provide an opportunity to discuss other aspects of potential for cooperation in the field of science and technology.
“India offers fellowships like India S&T fellowship, e-ITEC and both the countries can work through multiple multilateral platforms like BIMSTEC, of which they are part,” he said.
Speaking at the gathering, Sri Lanka’s Secretary, Skill Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Deepa Liange welcomed India’s cooperation in science and technology areas and research areas to promote scientific knowledge in the country.
Liange was the co-chairman of Sri Lanka.
Vinod K Jacob, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, said that since April 2020, 550 Sri Lankan nationals have benefited from training under the e-ITEC program at various Indian institutions in areas such as biotech, medical research and renewable energy.
“S&T is a key enabler of socio-economic and sustainable development. Science tools will enable the world to achieve the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development, and it is high time we create an environment conducive to science and technology and innovation,” said Niluka Kadurugamuwa, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India.
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