MEA and CSIR launch a Tech Familiarization Programme with 33 ambassadors and embassy officials from 29 countries

15 October 2026

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the New, Emerging and Strategic Technologies Division of the Ministry of External Affairs jointly launched the inaugural edition of the MEA-CSIR Tech Familiarization Programme on 14 October 2026. Thirty-three ambassadors and senior embassy officials from 29 countries took part. The programme was held at two CSIR laboratories in New Delhi, the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology. At CSIR-CRRI the visitors saw a driving simulator, a cyclic load test facility, a steel slag laboratory, a 3D bio-binder model and drones, with a live demonstration of Ecofix, a steel slag-based instant pothole repair mix. At CSIR-IGIB they were shown facilities for genome sequencing, biosafety, zebrafish research, biobanking and Good Manufacturing Practice. Dr. Rama Swami Bansal, Head of CSIR's International S&T Affairs Directorate, gave an overview of CSIR's capabilities and Dr. Sadre Alam, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, explained the programme's purpose.