Department of Science and Technology maintains STI cooperation agreements with 83 countries

Background

The International Cooperation Division of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is mandated to negotiate, conclude and implement Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) agreements between India and other countries, and to provide inputs on STI aspects in international forums. This is carried out in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions abroad, and S&T Counsellors in Germany, Japan, Russia and the USA. Under Bilateral Cooperation, DST states that India has STI cooperation agreements with 83 countries. Cooperation has strengthened in recent years with Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Russia, the UK and the USA. Cooperation with African countries has been strengthened through the India Africa S&T Initiative, and S&T is also leveraged to engage countries under India's Act East policy.