India and Italy have agreed to deepen cooperation in science, research and innovation at the Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026, held in Rome on November 12, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh's office said. Singh, who is leading the Indian delegation on an official visit to Italy, held talks with Italy's Minister for University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, the Press Information Bureau said.

Source: Press Information Bureau

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on scientific research cooperation signed in New Delhi in April 2025, and welcomed progress towards launching a joint call for research proposals in 2027, which will invite researchers and institutions from both countries to take up collaborative projects.

Source: India Manufacturing Review

The proposed cooperation will prioritise three broad areas: artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and big data; clean technologies, hydrogen, renewable energy and the energy transition; and advanced biotechnology and biomedical research. The dialogue brought together scientific institutions, researchers, innovation stakeholders and technology incubators from both countries to identify opportunities for joint projects and institutional collaboration.

Source: India Manufacturing Review

The visit is aimed at advancing the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership agreed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Italy in May 2026, translating the partnership into concrete scientific collaborations through ministerial discussions and institutional engagements, according to reports of the programme.

Source: Business News Week

On November 13, the Indian delegation was scheduled to visit leading research institutions in Trieste, including the Elettra Synchrotron Facility, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). Singh was also scheduled to meet Italy's minister in charge of space and aerospace policy, Adolfo Urso, and to take part in a World Diabetes Day programme at the Embassy of India in Rome on November 14.

Source: Press Information Bureau