NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Science & Technology announced on Thursday that India and Israel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on industrial research and development cooperation, marking a key turning point in their scientific and technological partnership.

The Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) under the Ministry of Defence of Israel and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology of India inked the agreement.

The partnership intends to facilitate collaborative industrial R&D initiatives in a number of high-tech industries, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technology, synthetic biology, healthcare, aerospace, renewable energy, and agriculture, among others.

The heads of CSIR and DDR&D will serve as the committee's chairmen, and the projects will be overseen by a joint steering committee.

The agreement was signed by Daniel Gold, Head of DDR&D, and N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, in front of Jitendra Singh, Vice President, CSIR Society, and the Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, GoI. The occasion also emphasised the two nations' fruitful diplomatic ties, which have grown into a strategic partnership.

Specific cooperation between CSIR and DDR&D on hydrogen and aerospace as well as a combined clinical trial effort between CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and 101 Therapeutics for a potential COVID-19 medication were also covered during the conference and welcomed.

India's expertise in the prioritised sectors was emphasised by Jitendra Singh, who also hailed the Israeli technological alliance and praised both sides for their efforts to advance India-Israel relations.

Overall, it is anticipated that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen bilateral collaboration and promote both nations' scientific and technology advancement.

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