India and Mexico on 04 March 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on research, technology and innovation collaborations with a focus on several key technology areas like Aerospace, Electronics Instrumentation & Strategic Sectors; Civil, Infrastructure & Engineering; Ecology, Environment Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water; Mining, Minerals, Metals & Materials; Chemicals (including leather) and Petrochemicals; Energy (Conventional & Non-Conventional) and Energy Devices; Agri, Nutrition & Biotech and Healthcare.

The Multi-Sectoral Historic Agreement was signed in the August Presence of Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh and Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard at the India Science Centre, Lodhi Road in presence of High-Level Delegations from both sides.

Dr Jitendra Singh assured the Mexican Foreign Minister that the three priority areas of Water, Lithium and Vaccines flagged by the Mexican side will be taken care of by the CSIR and other Sister Organisations and India will provide tangible results in the coming few months. He said Lithium is becoming a real connect between India and Mexico, apart from the future vision of Sustainable Start-Ups. The Minister appreciated the presence of the Foreign Minister in the signing of the MoU and said, it reflects the seriousness, the Mexican Government attaches to its relationship with India.

Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that CSIR and Mexican Agencies through this MoU could contribute effectively to the global society through Research and Innovation Partnerships for technology development, upscaling of each other’s Intellectual Property for commercialisation and Research Infrastructure Development & Sharing. He said, in addition to regular research & development, capacity building & training and participation in Knowledge dissemination activities, a special focus on Technology and Industry collaboration has been structured in the MoU.

The Minister also informed that as a way forward to identify specific collaborative proposals, topical interaction meetings between scientists from CSIR and institutions in Mexico are planned this month itself, specifically focusing on Health, Energy, Aerospace and Environmental protection aspects. He said it will be highly relevant to finalise collaboration proposals in consultation with industries and other stakeholders.

Source: Press Release, PIB