BRICS nations endorse India’s technology cooperation

India's Young Scientists Forum Initiative to form basis for the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) work plan for the period from 2015 to 2018.

The Dollar Business Bureau Brics-The Dollar Business The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan, on Saturday, informed about the endorsement made by the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations towards India´s Young Scientists Forum Initiative. The Minister also expressed happiness over the same being the part of the BRICS Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) work plan for the period from 2015 to 2018. Addressing the Science & Technology Ministers of the BRICS nations in Brazil, the Minister reiterated Government of India’s commitment towards STI cooperation with the BRICS nations. In the second BRICS Science Technology Innovation Ministerial Meeting, that was held in Brasilia this week, the Indian delegation led by Harsh Vardhan, also proposed for the establishment of BRICS Technology Foresight for climate system to address the climatic concerns. The Indian delegation also proposed for the joint cooperation in Research & Development activities in addressing the challenges as a part of natural disaster management. Informing about the budgetary allocation made for STI by the Indian government in Union Budget 2015-16 under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Harsh Vardhan said, “AIM will be an Innovation Promotion Platform involving academics, entrepreneurs and researchers and will draw upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D and scientific research in India.” Stating that the STI have been major driving forces for national development globally, the Union Minister said that the same is now important for India, which is aspiring to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. In this regard, the Union Minister expressed confidence that India, with its advantageous larger demographic dividend and the huge talent pool, would utilize STI to the maximum extent in order to play a defining role in achieving its national goals. Mentioning that ‘the national STI enterprise is a centre for nation’s development’, the Minister asserted, “A strong and viable Science, Research and Innovation System for High Technology-led path for India (SRISHTI) is the goal of India’s new STI policy.” This technology cooperation with the BRICS nations will hopefully develop the research and developmental activities with in India and thereby provide enormous job opportunities for Indian youth, in line with the requirement global-wide for the science and technology projects.