- Switzerland has earmarked a further CHF 45 million for the research partnership
- Parmelin wants India to make a corresponding commitment to the joint framework
- Jitendra Singh pointed to AI, quantum, biotechnology, space and deep ocean work
- The Indo-Swiss Research Framework and Joint Scientific Board will be strengthened
- Parmelin invited Indian participation in the forthcoming Geneva AI Summit
Switzerland will put a further CHF 45 million into its science and technology partnership with India. Swiss President Guy Parmelin made the announcement during a bilateral meeting with Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh in New Delhi.
Talks aim at a longer-term partnership
The meeting focused on moving the bilateral science and technology ties into a more structured, long-term phase. Both sides discussed greater institutional engagement and cooperation in emerging areas of shared interest.
Jitendra Singh said India is taking an interdisciplinary, mission-mode approach to science and technology. National programmes now bring together experts from several disciplines and ministries.
He described Artificial Intelligence as a tool that can contribute across many fields, rather than a separate discipline. He also cited India’s work in biotechnology, vaccine development, genome sequencing, quantum technology, space and deep ocean research.
New framework and agreements
Jitendra Singh welcomed progress on the Indo-Swiss Research Framework and the Indo-Swiss Joint Scientific Board. He said these bodies give bilateral cooperation a stronger base for a strategic, long-term approach.
He also welcomed a Letter of Intent between the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Department of Science & Technology (DST). An Implementation Agreement between the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and DST was also welcomed. He said both would deepen institutional ties and research collaboration.
Jitendra Singh added that the good relationship between the two countries makes collaboration easier at many levels. He called for a regular working arrangement to keep engagement going and to follow up on shared priorities.
Swiss funding and AI cooperation
Parmelin said Switzerland sees India as a fast-rising global research and development power. Switzerland wants to be a preferred long-term partner for India in education, research and innovation.
He recalled the 2003 Science and Technology Agreement and said the partnership has grown steadily. He expressed the hope that India would match Switzerland’s CHF 45 million with its own commitment to consolidate the joint research framework.
The two sides also discussed AI and its wider uses. Parmelin stressed that AI should benefit countries across the Global South. He invited Indian participation in the forthcoming Geneva AI Summit.
The Indo-Swiss Research Framework now aims to shift cooperation from a project-based model to a system-level partnership. The plan includes more mobility, knowledge exchange and long-term collaboration.
