India and Italy are working to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, with a focus on collaborative research, emerging technologies and practical applications of scientific discoveries.
India's Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, participated in the Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026 in Rome alongside Italy's Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue held in Rome in November 2026.
Dr Jitendra Singh and Italian Minister Anna Maria Bernini participated.
Discussions covered AI, quantum technologies, clean technology, biotechnology and healthcare.
Both countries are working towards a new joint research call in 2027.
Research commercialisation, technology validation and start-up incubation were key priorities.
The Indian delegation's programme included scientific institution visits in Trieste on November 13.
The dialogue brought together representatives from academic institutions, research organisations, technology incubators and innovation hubs from both countries to explore opportunities for stronger scientific partnerships.
The discussions focused on two broad themes: Research Excellence and Strategic Technologies, and From Research to Innovation. Key areas included clean technology, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, big data, biotechnology and healthcare.
Addressing the concluding session, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised the importance of collaborative research and stronger connections between research institutions, universities, industries and start-ups.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Stronger scientific cooperation between India and Italy could create new opportunities for researchers, universities, technology institutions and start-ups. Joint research in artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology and other emerging fields may also support technology development and innovation in both countries.
He highlighted the need to move beyond scientific research towards technology validation, start-up incubation and commercialisation, enabling research outcomes to reach practical applications.
The two countries are also working towards a new joint research call in 2027 under their existing scientific cooperation framework.
The proposed areas of cooperation include artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and big data, clean technologies, hydrogen, renewable energy, advanced biotechnology and biomedical research. Gene therapy, mRNA technologies and biomanufacturing are among the additional research areas identified for potential collaboration.
Dr Singh also highlighted the role of the India-Italy Joint Scientific Council in implementing cooperation activities under the bilateral framework.
The dialogue builds on the scientific partnership between the two countries. India and Italy signed a Memorandum of Understanding on scientific cooperation in April 2025, alongside an Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025–2027.
Under the existing programme, both countries agreed to support joint research projects and researcher mobility, creating opportunities for scientific exchanges and institutional collaboration.
The first India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue was held in New Delhi on April 11, 2025. The second edition in Rome continues the engagement between research institutions, universities and innovation stakeholders from both countries.
Dr Jitendra Singh's official visit to Italy runs from November 11 to 15, 2026, and includes bilateral engagements and interactions with scientific institutions.
As part of the visit programme, the Indian delegation was scheduled to visit leading scientific institutions in Trieste on November 13, including the Elettra Synchrotron Facility, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
The planned institutional interactions are intended to explore opportunities for scientific collaboration, research infrastructure partnerships and researcher mobility.
The discussions in Rome reflect efforts by India and Italy to strengthen their scientific partnership through joint research, institutional cooperation and innovation in emerging technology sectors.
