India - U.S. Science & Technology Relations: Harnessing the Potential

S&T cooperation between India and USA is characterized by over five decades of successful and productive exchange of scientists and scientific ideas, joint workshops and conferences, joint/collaborative research projects, training/fellowship programs and technology transfer in virtually all areas of Science & Technology - traditional and frontier. Indians and Americans have demonstrated a natural affinity for partnership in pursuit of scientific excellence and achievements. 

It is one if the oldest and most extensive bilateral S&T cooperation entered into by India. In the late 1950’s, Indian and American scientists began to collaborate on agricultural research. This activity was expanded in the 60’s into other fields of science and education, such as establishment of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; National Council of Educational Research & Training, New Delhi; and initiation of some major projects in health sector on prevention and other aspects of parasitic & communicable diseases, nutrition, cancer etc. Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) program was undertaken in the 70’s in collaboration between the US National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 

S&T SUB-COMMISSION: 

The Indo-U.S. Joint Commission on Economics & Commerce, Science & Technology, Education & Culture, and Agriculture was established in 1974. As provided for in the Joint Commission Agreement, an S&T Sub-Commission was established in 1975. The S&T Sub-Commission had seven Working Groups in different areas: Material & Physical Sciences; Earth Sciences; Atmospheric & Marine Sciences; Energy; Environment & Ecology; Information S&T; Health, Medical and Life Sciences. These Working Groups generally met concurrently with the meetings of the Sub-Commission. A large number of joint research programs and workshops were developed and implemented as a result of the activities of the S&T Sub-Commission. 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE (STI): 

In 1983, a new cooperative fast track program known as Science & Technology Initiative was jointly established for an initial period of three years to enhance S&T collaboration in areas of Agriculture, Health, Monsoon Research, Biomass Research and Engineering and Solid State Science. The National Science Foundation (USA) and the Department of Science and Technology (India) were identified as nodal agencies to implement the program, which operated on cost sharing basis. The program continued till 1991. 

US-INDIA FUND (USIF): 

In January 1987, the two governments signed an agreement for the establishment of US-India Fund (USIF) to carry out joint activities such as workshops, exchange of scientists and experts, joint research programs, etc. in the field of education, culture and sciences by using US-held rupees from the PL-480 funds. USIF was initially set up for ten years but was extended by a year. A large number workshops and joint scientific projects were developed under this program 

S&T FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: 

S&T Fellowship Program was a parallel activity during the period 1991-94 under which 70 Indian scientists spent 3-12 months in the USA and 10 US scientists came to India. The Program was supported primarily by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Department of Science and Technology, India, contributed the international passage of the Indian scientists. 

DST-DOS/NASA-NOAA MOU: 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for scientific cooperation in the area of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences was signed between the Department of Space (DOS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Government of India and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States of America on December 16, 1997, in Washington DC. Specific areas of cooperation include weather analysis and forecasting techniques; satellite product development for atmospheric, land and ocean parameters; applications to flood forecasting and drought monitoring. The MOU provides for exchange of data and derived products between the two countries from Indian National Satellite (INSAT) as well as Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) of the USA, in near real time over dedicated telecommunication links to be specially set up between India and the USA. With these dedicated links, it will also be possible for Indian scientists to access scientific data available at US web sites in a much faster mode than at present. 

ICAR MOU’S: 

A Memorandum of Understanding between Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York for cooperation in the area of Agricultural Research was signed in November 1998. With the signing of this MOU, both sides agreed to promote research, training and improvement of production techniques through exchange of faculty, scientists and technologists. There will also be an exchange of germplasm and breeding material, as well as scientific literature, information and methodology. ICAR had signed a similar MOU with Iowa State University during early 1998. Earlier, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, Texas, in July, 1997, for cooperation in the field of agricultural research. 

INDO-US VACCINE ACTION PROGRAM: 

An MOU for the Indo-US Vaccine Action Program was signed in 1987 under the Health, Medical and Life Sciences Working Group of the Indo-US S&T Sub Commission. The program is now in its third phase, and is extended until 2002. The last meeting of the Joint Working Group was held in July 2000, in Washington DC to identify the focus areas for further research in vaccine development and allied areas. The cooperating agencies on the Indian side are: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and the Indian Council of Medical Research; Those on the US side are: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and United States Agency for International Development. A similar program exists on cooperation on contraceptive and reproductive health research. 

DST-NSF PROGRAM: 

A program for Indo-US collaborative research projects was initiated in 1997. The cooperating agencies are: Department of Science & Technology (India) and the National Science Foundation (USA). This program supports workshops and joint research projects in fundamental areas of science and technology (excluding medical sciences). Proposals under this arrangement are submitted simultaneously to DST by the Indian collaborator and to NSF by the US researchers. 

INDO-US S&T FORUM: 

An agreement to set up an Indo-US Science & Technology Forum was signed by India’s Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. M. M. Joshi, and the US Secretary of State, Ms. M K Albright, during the visit of President Clinton to India. The Forum was formally launched by the Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. M. M. Joshi, on July 20, 2000. The Forum will facilitate and promote interaction, in India and USA, between government, academia and industry, in science & technology. The Forum will promote research and development, transfer of technology, and creation of comprehensive electronic reference sources for Indo-US S&T operation and electronic exchange and dissemination of information on Indo-US S&T cooperation. The Forum has been registered as a Society with the Office of the Registrar of Societies in New Delhi on June 23, 2000. A meeting of the Governing Board of the Forum was scheduled for September, 2001 in Washington DC; the meeting was postponed due to the tragic events of September 11. 

INDO-US S&T ROUNDTABLES: 

In conjunction with Prime Minister Vajpayee’s last visit to USA, representatives from India and USA held the 2nd High Level Round Table on Science and Technology on September 15, 2000, at Washington, DC; the 1st roundtable was held in Hyderabad, during President Clinton’s visit to India. Distinguished scientists and administrators from both countries participated in these meetings. Both the meetings were co-chaired by India’s Secretary of Science & Technology, Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy and the US Director of the Office of Science & Technology Policy and Assistant to the President, Dr. Neal Lane. The Round table aimed at discussing the new directions for the 21st century in Indo-US collaborations in science and technology. A joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 2nd Roundtable was presented to the visiting Prime Minister by Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary, DST, Dr. Manju Sharma, Secretary, DBT, Dr. Neal Lane, Director, OSTP and Dr. Rita Colwell, Director, National Science Foundation (USA). The Round Tables and the Forum represent intensified efforts for closer cooperation and stronger partnership in science and technology. 

AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES INTERACTION: 

American Professional Societies have begun to express an increasing interest in India and Indian scientists. For the first time in its 77 year history, the American Institute of Chemists elected an Indian American - Dr A K N Nandedkar, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Howard University, and Director, Genetics, Newborn Screening Service, Howard University Hospital, as its President for the year 2000 and 2001. One of the first actions of the newly elected president was to set up a chapter in India. Professional Societies representing Indian American Scientists maintain strong interaction with scientists in India. The presidents of the US National Academies of Sciences and Engineering have also expressed a strong desire for further cooperation with India. 

S&T FELLOWSHIPS: 

About fifty scientists from various universities and scientific institutions in India are deputed to USA annually for advanced research and training under three fellowship schemes viz., (a) Biotechnology Overseas Associateship Program of Department of Biotechnology; (b) Raman Research Fellowship awarded by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) and Better Opportunities for Young Scientists in Chosen Areas of Science and Technology(BOYCAST) fellowship of Department of Science & Technology. These short and long-term fellowship programs not only provide state-of-the-art research facilities to Indian scientists but also enable them to build long-term relationship with host institutions to pursue future cooperative activities.