India-Italy Science and Technology Partnership: Jitendra Singh Begins Italy Visit to Boost Research and Innovation Ties
Rome, Nov 13: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has begun a five-day official visit to Italy, focusing on advancing bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation under the Special Strategic Partnership agreed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Italy in May 2026.
The visit, scheduled from November 11 to 15, is aimed at translating the strengthened diplomatic partnership into concrete scientific collaborations through high-level discussions, institutional engagements and closer links between research organisations in the two countries.
The Indian delegation’s initial interaction with members of Italy’s scientific community and officials of the Embassy of India reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between the two nations and the importance of expanding cooperation in emerging areas of science and technology.
Science and Innovation Dialogue to drive bilateral cooperation
A key highlight of the visit is the India-Italy Science and Technology Dialogue 2026. Dr. Singh is scheduled to meet Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and participate in the Second Science and Innovation Dialogue.
The discussions are expected to provide a platform for both countries to review ongoing cooperation, identify new opportunities and strengthen partnerships in research and innovation.
The engagement follows the commitment to deepen the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership and reflects the growing importance of scientific collaboration in the broader bilateral relationship.
Indian delegation to visit leading research institutions in Trieste
On November 13, the Indian delegation will visit prominent scientific and research institutions in Trieste, including the Elettra Synchrotron Facility, the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).
The visits are intended to familiarise the delegation with Italy-based research infrastructure and explore opportunities for institutional partnerships, scientific exchanges and collaborative research.
The participation of senior representatives from Indian research organisations and technology institutions is expected to give the discussions a practical, institution-to-institution dimension.
World Diabetes Day event and community interaction in Rome
The Minister’s programme will also include an event marking World Diabetes Day at the Embassy of India in Rome on November 14. He is scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community in Italy as part of the visit.
These engagements form part of the wider programme, which combines scientific diplomacy with outreach to the Indian diaspora.
Senior research and innovation leaders accompany the Minister
The Indian delegation includes Ambassador of India to Italy Vani Rao, Deputy Chief of Mission Gaurav Gandhi, and senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology and the Embassy of India.
It also brings together leaders from several prominent Indian research institutions. These include Dr. R. Vijay, Director of the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad; Prof. Sanjay Behari, Director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram; Prof. Venu Gopal Achanta, Director of the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi; and Prof. Vibha Tandon, Director of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata.
The innovation ecosystem is represented by Prof. Kasturi Saha, Project Director of Qmet Tech Foundation at IIT Bombay; Dr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, CEO of the Incubator and Technopark at IIT Kanpur; and Dr. Satya Dash, CEO of IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad.
The presence of representatives from government departments, research laboratories, academic institutions and technology incubators reflects the wide-ranging nature of India’s scientific engagement with Italy.
Partnership aims to build stronger research and innovation links
Dr. Singh’s visit underscores India’s efforts to strengthen international scientific partnerships and connect its research institutions with global centres of excellence.
With bilateral talks, the Science and Innovation Dialogue and visits to major research facilities forming the core of the programme, the visit is expected to create fresh opportunities for cooperation between Indian and Italian institutions.
The engagements also mark an important step in advancing the Special Strategic Partnership announced during Prime Minister Modi’s May 2026 visit, with science, technology and innovation emerging as key areas of collaboration between the two countries.
