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Reviving of cooperation in S&T began
with the visit of the Iranian Minister for Science,
Research and Technology, Dr. Mostafa Moeen to India
in October 22-27, 2002. During the visit, besides
having detailed discussions on the kind and nature
of cooperation, an invitation was also extended for
the visit of the Hon’ble Minister for Science
and Technology Prof. Murli Manohar Joshi to visit
Iran to further carry out the dialogue. Based on the
deliberations during this visit during November, 2002,
a joint statement of Indo-Iranian Scientific and Technology
cooperation was signed at the Ministerial level on
November 9, 2002. The Joint Statement covered the
areas of cooperation, the mechanism for its implementation
through the setting up of a Joint Working Group to
discuss and finalise a new Programme of Cooperation
covering areas of common interest to both sides. Representative
areas include, among others, Information & Communication
technology, Energy, Industrial Technology, Environment,
Food Technology, Sustainable Development, and other
areas of cooperation of common interest to both sides.
The subsequent visit of the Iranian
Minister for Science, Research and Technology during
January, 2003 further paved the way to conclude an
Inter-Governmental S&T Agreement, once again reiterating
the importance of S&T cooperation between two
countries. Information Technology and Biotechnology
were added to the already agreed upon areas of cooperation.
Preparations are underway to convene
the first meeting the Joint S&T Committee/Working
Group in Tehran during 3rd quarter of 2003. The Joint
Meeting, following the signing of the S&T agreement
will address once again to various mechanisms/modalities
of cooperation activities in the identified topics
of interest. This would inter-alia cover exchange
of information and documentation, organization of
Joint seminars/workshops, development of Joint R&D
projects, exchange visits of scientific delegation
to a name a few.
For further details, please
contact:
C R MURTY, Director/ Scientist’F’
International Division, Department of Science &
Technology (DST)
Technology Bhawan, New Delhi-110016
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