The UK and India are planning to enhance cooperation in science and technology and explore possibilities for collaboration in the space sector. The plans were unveiled in the southern Indian cities of Bangalore and Chennai earlier this week (Wednesday 28th July).
As part of a UK delegation on a two-day visit to India, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts held discussions with India’s Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan on further strengthening cooperation in science and research.
Emerging from a meeting, Willets told reporters that he also held discussions with Chavan on cooperation in the space and nuclear research sectors.
During the meetings, Willets pointed out that India has developed expertise in launching small satellites and that Britain was in the process of developing satellites.
The two countries have also decided to work together on a new initiative to encourage multi-disciplinary research partnerships to develop the next generation of environmentally friendly fuel cell technologies.
Willets was in India as part of a Government delegation promoting trade and business links between the UK and India. The delegation was led by the Prime Minister.